Paul Barker, Innovia Films’ product manager for NatureFlex and Cellophane, reported significant interest from brand owners, retailers, and converters at the packaging trade show for the transparent cellulose based N913.
He told BakeryandSnacks.com that new biopolymer has very similar seal functionality to conventional packaging film. “We have increased the technical performance of the seal strength so that it is a weld rather than peel seal. And this hermetic seal ensures reduced leakage and consequently extended shelf life.”
Barker said that the N913 also has heat seal strength comparable to polyethylene/polyester based laminates with lab tests on flat sheets proving it has a gas barrier of less than 1 as opposed to the gas barrier levels of 5 to 10 of PE/PET laminates, depending on grade.
"The seal integrity of other NatureFlex polymers is perfectly suited to the smaller snack packs – 400g – but N913 serves organic cereal or pasta makers looking to bring out new lines with bigger pack weights using film with 55 microns thickness for bulk," he said.
The product manager said that the N913 is the first in a new family of NatureFlex biopolymers and that it is also applicable to cheese, meat and confectionery packaging.
“The N913 could be used as the middle and inner ply of a flexible pouch, to give 2-ply laminations the attributes of 3-ply,” continued Barker.
He said that Innovia had been working on the new biopolymer for several years, and had collaborated with several other partners on the development.
“January next year will see a plain metallised and white metallised version of N913 being released which will be extremely applicable to the snack sector.
These formats are really stand out in terms of sustainability and shelf life as they have a moisture barrier of less than 2 and oxygen barrier of less than 0.1," claims Barker
Derived from renewable resources, NatureFlex films are certified to meet the European EN 13432 and American ASTM D6400 composting norms. “The certification guarantees remove any certification concerns some of the smaller packaging converters might have about using biopolymers,” added Barker.