Processor plans cellulose-based film extrusion for its U.S. facility

Films processor and converter Innovia has had good success with its Natureflex compostable films in Europe, where the material has been specified for a number of packaging applications, and now the company's facility in Kansas will begin extruding these for the North American market.

The high-barrier compostable films could see use in vertical FFS applications such as these bags.

According to Innovia, these films will be the first in the U.S. to be clear, offer a high water vapor and gas barrier, be compostable films and be made from renewable resources. Innovia's North American headquarters is in Atlanta but processing is at its facility in Tecumseh, Kansas.

The new films are marketed under the NatureFlex NKR and NKA brands. The processor claims these provide the highest moisture barriers of any transparent bio-film on the market. NatureFlex contains over 90% renewable content as measured by ASTM 6866 and is produced from wood pulp sourced from managed plantations which either have or are actively working towards Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification or equivalent.  The product meets the requirements of ASTM D6400, composting within six weeks.

Both films have inherent deadfold and anti-static properties, high gloss and are resistant to grease and oil. Applications are foreseen in packaging of moisture-sensitive products such as coffee, cookies, condiments, chips, bakery and cosmetics.

Innovia Films Ltd., headquartered in the UK, is a large processor of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film as well as the NatureFlex cellulose-based ones with more than €400 million/yr in revenue, processing in excess of 120,000 tonnes of materials per year.