Sponsored By

Creator of Composite Material Makes a Packaging DealCreator of Composite Material Makes a Packaging Deal

Pester pac automation approves the use of flexible packaging made from Solutum Technologies’ novel materials on its packaging machinery.

Rick Lingle

October 8, 2024

2 Min Read
Solutum and pester pac automation gather at FachPack
Pictured left-to-right: Michael Aurbacher, product manager at pester pac automation, and Solutum's Mike Mayer, Noa Luft, Sharon Barak, Avishai Raz, and Lior Almagor gathered in the company’s FachPack tradeshow booth in Germany last month.Solutum Technologies

Films made from a sustainable composite material from innovator Solutum Technologies Ltd. has secured a machinery maker customer: pester pac automation.

In addition to offering a portfolio of post-consumer recycled-content films, bio-based materials, and packaging materials made of paper, films made from Tel Aviv, Israel-based Solutum composite material are approved to run on Pester stretch wrapping machines and full overwrapping systems.

"We are making an active contribution to environmental protection and also offering customers the opportunity for efficient processing and material savings," says Joachim Eckart, sales director, pester pac automation.

The joint development represents a step change in packaging technology as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional packaging film.

Film made from Solutum’s composite material consists of readily available polymers, copolymers, and nonpolymeric materials.

Solutum-Film-Roll-1600x900.png

Solutum films offer versatile end-of-life properties, including industrial composting and full biodegradability in soil and water. The film leaves no residue of microplastics or other toxic substances. Compared to conventional low-density polyethylene film, Solutum film boasts higher tear strength. This makes it possible to significantly reduce material thickness to cut costs.

Related:Startup Creates Composite for Sustainable Flexible Packaging

The specialty films can also be substituted for oriented polypropylene film.

The new film material is essentially a drop-in replacement without major upgrades.

The films are also tunable, according to Daniel Friedmann, Solutum corporate director and board member. “The combination of compounds can be adapted to achieve specific mechanical properties, making it ideal for a broad range of flexible packaging applications.”

Composite film use offers a literally cool benefit.

The use of Solutum film reduces the cooling requirements on Pester’s stretch wrapping systems, resulting in up to 80% pneumatic energy savings.

Solutum's packaging material can be produced locally on conventional extruders, making it possible to scale the film to meet demand.  Local production contributes to reduced transport emissions and carbon footprint while supporting regional economies.

The made-from-composite films also offer end-of-life advantages.

“At the end of its life cycle, Solutum's material decomposes completely,” offers Sharon Barak, founder and president of Solutum. “When handled in a managed environment, Solutum biodegrades in industrial composting plants, and in unmanaged environments, including oceans, rivers or when openly dumped, Solutum film biodegrades in soil and natural waters. With widespread adoption, Solutum can effectively mitigate environmental harm caused by flexible packaging, while delivering on performance and economics.”

The Solutum material has been awarded the Interseroh “Made for Recycling” when used as a barrier for paper products, according to the Aticelca 501 test method. It also meets standards for TÜV Industrial Composting, TÜV Soil Biodegradable, and meets standards for using the ISO14020 Water Biodegradable label.

Read more about Solutum’s unique packaging solution at PlasticsToday.

About the Author

Rick Lingle

Rick Lingle, now a freelancer, was Senior Technical Editor for PlasticsToday, and previously for Packaging Digest, until his retirement in December 2024. Lingle has been a packaging media journalist since 1985, specializing in food, beverage, and plastic markets. He earned a chemistry degree from Clarke College and worked in food industry R&D for Standard Brands/Nabisco and the R.T. French Co. He can be reached at [email protected].

Sign up for PlasticsToday newsletter

You May Also Like