BASF and the Swedish packaging manufacturer BillerudKorsnäs have jointly developed a paper laminate for flexible packaging that can be disposed of in domestic compost.
The multilayer film is made up of three components: the paper ConFlex Silk from BillerudKorsnäs, a sealing layer made from the certified home-compostable and partially bio-based biopolymer ecovio BASF and its water-based adhesive Epotal Eco 3675 X, which bonds the film to the paper. Because all components of the multilayer laminate are approved for food contact. It can therefore be used to produce packaging with customised barrier properties, e.g. for biscuits, ice cream, muesli bars and dairy products. It is also suitable for wrapping fish, meat and cheese, which are available fresh from the supermarket counter.
All components are Home compostable according to official European certification systems. The laminate contains a high proportion of renewable raw materials and expands the recycling options for multi-layer flexible packaging as it is biologically recyclable.
Paper laminate with the same properties as standard packaging
The new solution shows the same performance characteristics as standard multilayer packaging. It is puncture-resistant and offers good printability and excellent heat-sealing properties. The film can be processed on standard packaging machines.
„We wanted to develop a paper-based laminate with good heat-sealing properties, using only certified home-compostable components. There is a major trend in society to switch from plastic to paper packaging, which is also supported by legislation in some countries. In addition, the flexible multilayer films currently available are difficult to recycle, but the technical need still exists. With BillerudKorsnäs, we have found the ideal partner to develop a home compostable paper-based solution with more packaging recycling opportunities while maintaining the technical performance characteristics of conventional laminates.“ Amir Pourirani, Head of Global Marketing for Biopolymers at BASF.
In accordance with the objectives of the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy The aim is for all plastic packaging to be recyclable or reusable by 2030. „With BASF's certified home compostable biopolymer and adhesive, we have found the ideal components to take the next step towards a further sustainable solution for flexible packaging in our portfolio,“ says Markus Saari, Our joint development is aimed at a paper-based and compostable material, to replace conventional laminates for food packaging, The new packaging has the same hygiene and barrier requirements, the necessary strength and many design options as conventional packaging, but with the decisive additional advantage of home compostability.“
Certified kraft paper
The Swedish packaging company produces the sealable laminate using a wet lamination process. The outer layer consists of ConFlex Silk kraft paper from BillerudKorsnäs, which is certified according to OK Compost Home by TÜV Austria is. With a weight of 60g/m², the paper has good printability and high strength. It is based on a blend of 100 per cent primary fibres. The inner sealing layer of the flexible packaging consists of a blown film of a special ecovio grade from BASF, which also bears the OK Compost Home certificate from TÜV Austria.
The film is suitable for mono and co-extrusion and is easy to seal. The sealing layer is applied to the paper layer using the water-based dispersion adhesive Epotal Eco3675X from BASF. The adhesive is certified by DIN Certco as home compostable in accordance with DIN EN 13432 (based on the NF T 51-800 test). Like other adhesives, it can be processed on standard laminating systems and offers excellent adhesive properties in combination with various biodegradable substrates.
SourceBASF
