Austrian producer Sonnentor has selected NatureFlex™ NK high-barrier, compostable, cellulose-based material from Innovia Films (www.innoviafilms.com) to wrap its range of herbs and spices. Sonnentor was founded more than 20 years ago in the Waldviertel region by Johannes Gutmann. He wanted to sell locally grown and dried organic herbs and spices with the emphasis on traditional harvesting and refining methods, innovation, and fair trade principles. Today the company employs 100 people in Austria, with 75% of its product exported.
NatureFlex NK was launched in 2008 and offers biodegradability, compostability, and a moisture barrier approaching that of co-extruded OPP, according to Innovia. The company adds, “This means it has the best moisture barrier of any biopolymer film available, which has been achieved through Innovia Films' unique coating technology.”
Says Sonnentor founder Johannes Gutmann, "Sonnentor’s formula for success is innovative product concepts and high-quality, carefully selected organic ingredients. This organic way requires innovative solutions for our packaging. NatureFlex plays an important part in our sustainability and successful future."
Film is good fit for organics
Notes Innovia, NatureFlex was a good fit for the packaging in this application as the film begins life as a natural product—wood—and breaks down at the end of its life cycle in a home compost bin or industrial compost environment within a matter of weeks. It also offers packaging advantages such as inherent deadfold and anti-static properties, high gloss and transparency, resistance to grease and oil, a good barrier to gases and aromas, a print-receptive surface, and a wide heat-seal range.
NatureFlex films are certified to meet the European EN13432 and American ASTM D6400 standards for compostable packaging. The wood pulp is sourced from managed plantations from referenced suppliers operating good forestry principals (FSC or equivalent). NatureFlex films typically have a renewable biobased content of some 95% by weight of material.
Source: GreenerPackage.com
