materials feature | Agricultural film
overall 21% increase in yield, compared with a bench- mark film.
Growth barrier Nippon Gohsei reported two ongoing developments in using its high barrier Soarnol EVOH film: a project to recycle PE/EVOH/PE film scraps into stretch wrap film; and a biodegradable and compostable high barrier fumigation film – which is still being developed. Soarnol film is typically used for applications such as
round bale wrapping, soil fumigation and in bunker silos, thanks to its high barrier properties. It recently developed a seven-layer high barrier
Plastic film could help India to boost crop yields, says Reliance
Hubert Coffi, senior agronomist at A to Z Textile
Mills in Tanzania, told delegates that ‘bottom of the pyramid’ (BOP) farmers were traditionally excluded from this type of technology due mainly to issues of affordability, availability and skills. “BOP farmers should be a priority,” he said. One serious problem that could be solved using
plasticulture is that of the Larger Grain Borer (LGB) – a pest of maize and cassava crops. (East Africa produces around 10m tonnes of maize per year, he said.) The insect usually bores through containers, but a hermeti- cally sealed bag that incorporates an insecticide layer has helped to deter the pest. The bags are made from a five-layer film, of which the
middle layer is imbued with an insecticide. (Ordinarily, these types of bags are susceptible to pyrethroids.) The AgroZ Bag Plus, which is the subject of a patent application, has been shown to preserve the stored crops far more effectively: while a standard PP bag had 570 holes in it after seven months, the new bag had none.
Greenhouse effect Other speakers shared details of new grades that are used in agricultural films. Flora Quan, application marketing manager at Borouge, presented details of a new grade of its Borstar polyolefin for making green- house film with diffused light effect. The film, made with Borstar FB2230, helps to admit
more light into the greenhouse, which helps to boost photosynthesis – and crop yield. “It gives high light transmission and scattering, as
well as strong mechanical performance,” said Quan. She pointed to several examples of improved crop yields, including 15% for tomatoes and 12% for peppers – as well as improving the sugar content of various fruits. Field trials in China showed a marked effect on the stem height and diameter of cucumbers – and an
20 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | April 2017
blown film that incorporates around 10% regrind – yet had a high enough gas barrier for these types of applications, as well as suitable mechanical properties such as tensile strength, and tear and puncture resistance. The company has also developed a fully compostable high barrier fumigation film. The five-layer film is based on its Nichigo G-Polymer, and also incorporates Bionolle and tie layers. In tests, the film showed no emissions of fumigant – and no degradation – after 30 days. “We expect to see future application of this in
agricultural fields,” said Domenico De Angelis, associate marketing director and technical manager at Nippon Gohsei Europe.
Light fantastic CNEP in France has devised a new test for determining the weathering effect of ultraviolet (UV) light on greenhouse film. Narcisse Siampiringue, research manager at CNEP,
told delegates that the new tool – called Sepap MHE – could shorten the duration of the test significantly. These films are usually tested by artificial acceler-
ated UV ageing tests involving Xenon lamps. CNEP has devised a method that uses medium pressure mercury vapour lamps – and takes one-third of the time. “Next we need to see if we can go even faster,” said Siampiringue. CNEP developed an ‘ultra acceleration test’, using a
mercury vapour lamp to test automotive industry components, as part of the three-year Puma project. The project led to the development of a new type of medium-pressure mercury vapour lamp that could be adapted for other uses. “Ultra accelerated photo-ageing with a new Sepap
HE device is a promising tool to shorten test times,” said Siampiringue. “It will be especially useful for two- and three-season films exposed to CZ3 or harsher climates (CZ4).” He said that the test time has been cut to 36 days
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