There are several ways to bring sustainable packaging to market and biodegradable and compostable packaging is one area of significant development. ThePackHub is hosting a Sustainable Packaging Trends webinar this Thursday 6th August where many of the recent introductions will be discussed. register today!
Each year, it is estimated that the New Zealand market consumes 119,000 kilometers (74,000 miles) of clingfilm. Multiply that by other countries in the world and you have significant usage of a single-use plastic material. Cling wrap is traditionally made of a variety of plastics and is therefore not recyclable. Auckland-based Compostic has created a world-first cling wrap that can be home composted. It has its compostable cling film in their native market, and around 130 New Zealand retailers stock the wrap so far. The company’s compostable wrap and resealable bags are made of a blend of three biopolymers. The clingfilm is TUV Austria certified and will break down within 12 weeks in industrial composting and 24 weeks in home compost conditions. The Covid-19 pandemic has delayed Compostic’s rollout to the Australia and US markets, which will now take place by the end of the year.
The solution to single-use plastics has taken a step forward with Hydropol. It is a specially engineered material from Aquapak Polymers It is non-toxic, marine-safe and fully dissolvable in warm or hot water. The patent-protected technology means Hydropol resin pellets can be used by packaging, plastics and paper industries to manufacture a single layer plastic film, extrusion coatings, laminations to paper or board and injection mouldings in their standard machinery. Hydropol allows users to maintain the primary functionality of their applications whilst designing-in end-of-life recyclability, repulpability, anaerobic digestion or compostability Hydropol also does not break-down into harmful microplastics in the ocean or on land. Dr John Williams of Aquapak Polymers will be discussing the Hydropol initiative as part of ThePackHub’s Sustainable Packaging Trends webinar this Thursday 6th August.. register now!. ThePackHub will also detail 20 new sustainable initiatives in the hour long session.
