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Biodegradable Shrink Films
Biodegradable Shrink Films
The following relates to display shrink films which are principally based on polyolefin
structures.
The simple truth is that -
" Currently, there are no industrial technologies that result in the production
of a biodegradable shrink film in the strictest sense - meaning a film compatible
with the market requirements".
 The
above statement is taken from the literature published by a manufacturer of oxo
biodegradable film - which is held out, not by the manufacturer, it must be said,
but rather by certain of the manufacturer's distributors as being fully compliant.
There is a need to have to understand some definitions in this particular area.
The most valuable is EN 13432.
In simple terms, the above defines that which is biodegradable or not.
Simply, the EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC) defines requirements
for packaging to be considered recoverable. The Harmonised Standard EN 13432 amplifies
these requirements with respect to organic recovery and biodegradable packaging.
The EN 13432 lays down laboratory test procedures for biodegradability and compostability
and for the determination of potential harmful material constituents in packaging
and packaging materials. Whenever a packaging product is placed on the market as
degradable, conformance with the requirements of 94/62/EC is to be assessed through
the use of EN 13432.
Again, simply, oxo biodegradable polyolefin shrink film does not comply with this
fundamental standard EN 13432.
A great deal is made of the concept that some attempt is better than nothing at
all and, in the same way, that which is being offered represents a valuable route
towards the product being more environmentally friendly.
Once more, the truth is that the underlying technology is based on special additives
which have indeed been available in the market for in excess of 20 years. Since
their first appearance, many doubts have been expressed as to whether these products
provide what they promise. Such doubts are still valid, today.
To summarise, a biodegradable shrink film must decompose in the presence of bacteria
or other micro-organisms under natural conditions producing water, CO2 and biomass,
as described by the European Standard EN 13432.
Biomass itself is defined as biological or organic material.
Degradable or oxo degradable materials are no more than polymers derived in the
normal way from oil where an additive has been used which allows them to break down,
although the basic molecular structure is still maintained.
The film degrades in that sense but there is no change whatsoever in its chemical
composition and hence, there is no biodegradation in any meaningful sense at all.
It may well be that biodegradable shrink film is developed at some point in the
future.
However, there is no such product available at this time.
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Kempner are shrink
wrap specialists who supply a range of shrink wrap systems & offer
shrink packaging advice to companies worldwide. If you are looking for a
shrink tunnel, second hand
packaging machinery and low cost shrink film then
please contact us.
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