Innovia Films has developed a new family of highly functional recyclable BOPP films, Encore, which are manufactured from renewable non-food based raw materials.
As well as helping to reduce the use of fossil-based virgin raw materials, Encore films are claimed to have exactly the same properties as equivalent fossil-based BOPP film, including high clarity and gloss, high stiffness, water vapour barrier properties, and printability. Encore has already been assessed by Interseroh, an independent German recycling and consulting company, and has received their highest rating, confirming they are fully recyclable.
The first two grades of Encore film to be launched will be a low temperature heat seal film for packaging and one for pressure-sensitive labelling applications.
Steve Langstaff, business manager, packaging at Innovia Films, said, ‘We have calculated using our in-house life cycle analysis (LCA) programme that by using renewable polymer we can determine that Encore films offer reductions in carbon footprint.
‘The Encore film range has an International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) using a mass balance approach. They are suitable for use in all market segments currently using BOPP films.’
Mr Langstaff continued, ‘This represents the first step in our journey to produce more sustainable films, with the next step being products that contain recycled post-consumer content. We have agreements in place and hope to be able to launch the first of these in 2022.’
Read more about the latest developments driving the market for films in labels and packaging applications in the May/June issue of Digital Labels & Packaging; register here to receive the magazine for free
