Metzingen. The air-cushioning system Airplus from Storopack is being extended to include a bio-plastic material quality. The compostable film is designed to run on all the machines in the series, giving great variation on the types of applications it is suitable for. The filling and padding material can be used throughout all service departments, from small dispatch rooms to the automated distribution centre. The composting ability of Airplus Bio Film is certified according to the European standard EN 13432. For this reason, the air cushions are marked with the seedling logo ensuring the recipient is aware of the shipping company’s ethos of sustainability.
At present, this air-cushioning is available in the following sizes, 200 x 200 mm and 200 x 100 mm. It is planned to include further variants from the portfolio of PE films. The raw material is a biologically degradable plastic compound based on polylactic acid (PLA) with co-polyester. It was developed by FKuR Kunststoff GmbH, Willich, in co-operation with the Fraunhofer Institute (Oberhausen, Germany).
As with polyethylene based films, Storopack co-extrudes the polymer during processing to produce a three-layered structure. Compared with mono-extruded films, this reduces material consumption, the elasticity is increased and the low permeability ensures that the air fill does not shrink. Introduction to the market will take place in January 2009 in Europe and North America. Airplus Bio Film is to be manufactured at the production sites in Wildau (Germany) and Cincinnati (USA).
Storopack is following a fundamental approach designed to associate the term bio-plastic with two characteristics. First of all, the functionality - the plastic product is compostable. And secondly, the basic raw material - the product is made of a renewable raw material. Both conditions are met with Airplus Bio Film. For the site in North America, Storopack received the certification ASTM D6400.
In particular, Storopack wishes to distinguish itself from suppliers marketing so-called “oxo-degradable” films but then label them as “bio”-products. As a rule, these are usually plastic products made of 100% standard polyethylene (PE), making the raw material base oil. PE is mixed with additives which accelerate its degradation. These additives are based on metal compounds. According
to European Bio-plastics data, some of these additives are to be classified as hazardous materials according to EU law. For example, the presence of cobalt has been detected.