BASF and Fabbri Group say that their new compostable cling film based on BASF’s ecovio product is the “ideal combination of breathability, mechanical performance, and aesthetics”.
The partnership also argues that its new product, Nature Fresh, is the first certified compostable cling film that combines “optimal breathability for an extended shelf life of fresh food with high transparency and excellent mechanical properties for automatic packaging”. Nature Fresh is reportedly food-contact approved according to US and European standards.
Its overall performance - mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation at break, breathability, film transparency and aesthetics like elastic recovery and anti-fogging – is reportedly comparable to films made of PVC. At the same time, the companies say that ecovio shows a better water vapor transmission than PE, which is essential for optimal fresh food packaging.
After usage, the film can apparently be composted together with any food waste in a home compost or industrial compost according to national legislation.
Carsten Sinkel from Global Business Development Biopolymers at BASF says: “We observe a changing market environment: The market is looking for alternatives to PVC that is today’s performance standard for most cling film packaging of fresh produce. PE films are lacking in performance, often leading to reduced shelf life for packed fresh food. This results in considerable greenhouse gas emissions from food waste: fruits and vegetables, for example, are responsible for 33% greenhouse gas emissions from all food waste globally.
“Our certified compostable ecovio enables the production of a cling film that prolongs the shelf life of fresh food and at the same time can be composted after use together with organic waste according to national legislation,” Sinkel continues.
