Page 50 - Plastics News March 2019

PRODUCT NEWS

Biome Bioplastics and Futamura partner to demonstrate compostable
multilayer packaging

iome Bioplastics and Futamura have partnered to and digital print processes. Additionally, the puncture
Bdemonstrate a range of bio-based and compostable resistance of the pouch is similar to products currently
multilayer films. The compostable multilayer films available on the market.
are manufactured by combining Biome’s range of
biodegradable sealant resins with Futamura’s compostable SC Johnson launches 100%
NatureFlex cellulose films to generate a range of laminated
flexible structures. The bio-based content of the resultant recycled ocean plastic bottle
materials ranges between 50-70 percent. The films are
compliant to the European industrial composting standard s part of its ongoing
EN13432, meaning that they disintegrate by 90 percent Acommitment to tackling
within 12 weeks and biodegrade by 90 percent to water, the problem of plastic pollution
carbon dioxide and biomass within 180 days. The materials in our oceans, SC Johnson has
have also been tested and proved to be non-toxic to both announced that it will launch
soil and plant life. the industry’s first product
The materials are claimed to offer ‘competitive that uses 100 percent recycled
performance’ while tackling the negative environmental ocean plastic in a major home
impact of traditional oil-based, non-recyclable multilayer cleaning brand. That product is
packaging. part of the ubiquitous Windex
brand, one of the company’s most popular brands
Sustainable alternatives to challenging packaging formats and a household favourite for the past 86 years.“With
such as multilayer pouches will be key to meeting the UK over 5 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean,
Plastics Pact target that 70 percent of plastic packaging conditions are continuing to get worse and worse,”
is effectively recycled or composted by 2025. Multilayer said Fisk Johnson, chairman and chief executive of SC
films can be used in packaging both fresh products and Johnson.“The Windex bottle is just one of the many
dry foods to extend shelf life in a cost-effective manner. ways we are not only providing solutions to combat
However, their multilayer construction means that this ocean pollution but taking action to make these
type of packaging cannot be recycled and lacks a viable solutions a reality.” The Windex Vinegar Ocean Plastic
disposal route. Biome Bioplastics and Futamura have bottles are an everyday offering, and will be made
available at North American retailers such as Target
and Walmart.
As many as 8 million units will hit retail shelves this
spring. The new product is the world’s first glass
cleaner bottle made from 100 percent recycled ocean
plastic, and it is also non-toxic and cruelty-free.Plans
are underway to launch a 100 percent Social Plastic
Windex bottle with Plastic Bank by autumn of 2019.
This product is another milestone in the company’s
efforts to tackle ocean plastic pollution.This product
is unlike anything else on the market as it will include
demonstrated how a viable compostable option can be recycled ocean-bound social plastic sourced by Plastic
achieved by creating a dry food pouch, which offers Bank from Haiti, the Philippines and Indonesia, which
excellent oxygen barrier and good moisture barrier the company said will not only help the environment
properties, as well as efficient sealability, it is claimed. but also provide social benefits to people living below
The pouches can also be printed using both conventional the poverty level.

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