An Italian company, SAGIFI S.p.A, is an early adopter of Innovia Films’ newly commercialised home compostable film designed for lidding applications, NatureFlex HK1. The new hermetic sealing film, the first of its kind in the market, has been adopted for lidding on compostable food service trays used by schools in the Naples municipality.
At interpack, Innovia Films’ Asia Pacific market development manager, Claude D’Amico, told PKN he believes that this new lidding film will attract interest in the Australian market, as this home compostable packaging material not only offers excellent functionality, it also provides an attractive marketing proposition as well as helping companies achieve their environmental goals.
The new film comprises NatureFlex plus a proprietary biopolymer sealant layer, which increases the technical capabilities of the cellulose-based packaging film. It provides an excellent barrier to moisture for extended shelf life and a good aroma barrier. This is in addition to excellent heat-seal performance and high seal integrity. It seals to a wide range of bio trays. Derived from renewable resources, NatureFlex HK1 is certified to OK Compost’s Home Composting standards and to EN13432 by Vinçotte for Industrial Composting.
Commenting on the growing interest in Innovia’s bio-based products in the Australian market, D’Amico said, "Whereas until recently most enquiries came from smaller end users, who have more flexibility to consider adopting new technology, we are now seeing interest from many large brand owners too. The interest is in three key areas: companies seeking products with renewable content, those interested in home compostable packaging, and those looking for packaging that can help reduce food waste."
