FKuR launches new Bio-Flex Blends for home compostable films and packaging

The new Bio-Flex blends are designed for the production of low gauge films that will biodegrade completely in garden compost at low, variable temperatures. The new grades have already been awarded OK Compost HOME certificates by Vinçotte, the Belgian accredited inspection and certification organisation. In addition, most of the new compounds meet the requirements of Article 75 of the French Energy Transition Law ("Loi sur la transition énergétique"), under which since January 1, 2017, plastic bags may no longer be issued by retailers for fruit and vegetables, nor for cheese, meat and fish sold at supermarket counters. However, bags made from home compostable bioplastic which contain a minimum content of renewable raw materials of 30% (and from 2025, 60% renewable raw materials) are excluded from this ban.

All home compostable Bio-Flex compounds are regarded as having outstanding moisture resistance. This is a great advantage when compared with many other commercially available starch-based plastics of this type. These biodegrade rapidly but should only be filled with dry contents. The range of possible applications for these new compounds of FKuR is wide and includes multi-purpose bags, as well as bags for fruit and vegetable packing, mulching films and other packaging

The product range currently comprises both translucent and opaque grades. Bio-Flex FX 1803 (30% biobased), F 1804 and F 1814 (both 40% biobased) grades are translucent. Bio-Flex F 1814 offers the additional benefit of increased tear resistance. They are suitable for packaging goods with printed QR codes as well as for visually attractive packaging for all types of printed materials.

Bio-Flex FX 1821 (10% biobased), FX 1823 (30% biobased) and FX 1824 (40% biobased) grades are all opaque. These opaque grades show very good tear resistance and toughness.
Pilot tests with customers have shown that bag thickness can easily be down gauged to 8 μm with these new grades. The good processing properties using existing production facilities are similar for all Bio-Flex grades and are a characteristic of FKuR compounds.

The bag on the left side is made from the translucent Bio-Flex FX 1803, and the bag on the right side is made from the more tear resistant Bio-Flex FX 1824 (photo © FKuR)


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