Over the past two years packaging suppliers have been introducing various forms of biodegradableplastics made from a variety of plants, in the main corn, based on projections that there will be agrowing demand for environmentally-friendly packaging, a trend driven by consumers and recyclingregulations.
Some companies predict that the market will grow by about 20 per cent a year, as an alternativeto petroleum-based packaging such as the widely-used polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Rockwell Solutions in Scotland this week said its new BioPeel peelable lidding film can be used for trays and pots.The film is mad from polylactic acid (PLA), a corn-based biodegradable polymer made by US-basedNatureWorks. PLA is biodegradable and compostable. NatureWorks is part of Cargill and is one themain movers behind the biodegradable packaging trend.
BioPeel is a clear peelable PLA lidding or flow wrap film. Rockwell Solutions says it is suitable for use in chilled and frozenproducts such as fruit, vegetables, salads and sandwiches. BioPeel has a broad sealing window, clarity, is available with antifog and can be perforated.
BioPeel can be tailored to seal and peel to any type of container, the company stated. Rockwell Solutions also offers PLA-based heat sealable flow wrap.