Cortec claims to have developed the ‘world’s first’ certified industrially compostable vapour corrosion inhibitor paper to package protective metals, highlighting its 92% USDA-certified biobased content.
Both sides of the paper are designed to provide corrosion protection, with Cortec recommending its use to wrap or interleave both ferrous and non-ferrous metal parts. Corrosion-inhibiting vapours are released to form a molecular protective layer on metal surfaces while they are stored inside a package.
Apparently, these corrosion inhibitors float away once the pack is opened, allowing customers to immediately install a clean new part. The paper can then be recycled in ordinary paper streams or composted at an industrial composting facility, Cortec explains.
Testing undertaken by TÜV Austria has reportedly proven that EcoBio VpCI-146 Paper meets the EN 13432 standard for industrial composting, instead becoming humus without causing eco-toxicity in the soil.
The paper was said to disintegrate into compost in the space of around six weeks, while soybeans and corn seedlings grown with the resultant compost produced ‘extremely similar’ results to plants grown using regular compost.
Furthermore, the paper is said to contain recycled paper stock and 92% USDA-certified biobased content, aligning with legislative mandates to cut down on plastic usage. Cortec says the paper is ‘ideal’ for assembly plants with direct control over their suppliers’ packaging selection, enabling them to increase their ratio of compost to landfill waste.
Other compostable solutions released this year include Metpack’s Ezycompost coated paper and paperboard. This solution is coated with BASF’s ecovio 70 PS14H6 biopolymer and claims to protect against liquids, fats, grease, and mineral oil, all without compromising on home compostability.
On a wider scale, a new grant programme has been launched by Closed Loop Partners’ Composting Consortium, the US Composting Council, and the Biodegradable Products Institute to help composters and municipalities process certified compostable packaging by installing new equipment, conducting trials, and educating consumers.
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