NEWS
‘Sharkskin’ film cuts
plane fuel BASF and Lufthansa have developed a ‘sharkskin’ film that helps to reduce aircraft fuel consumption. Aeroshark is described
as an ‘adhesive riblet’ film that reduces drag – and improves fuel efficiency. The patterns on the film are around 50 microns higher than the surface. However, this may be enough to reduce fuel consumption by around 1% if applied to a Boeing 777.
Swiss Airlines is using the film on 12 of its 777s, which it says will save around 4,800 tonnes/ year of fuel – and cut carbon emissions by around 15,200 tonnes/ year. The developers say
further improvements could help cut fuel use by 3%. The film is easy to
apply, and resistant to UV radiation, water, oil, and large temperature and pressure shifts. �
www.basf.com
Wastewater converted into plastic food trays
A pan-European research project has shown that organic matter from waste- water can be converted into bioplastic-based food trays. Researchers in the
Afterlife project also extracted essential oils and phenolic extracts from the water and used them as food ingredients. The project ran four pilot plants in Belgium, process- ing wastewater from the confectionery, cheese and wcitric fruit processing industries. The treatment capacity was one cubic metre of wastewater per day. For production of the bioplastic (PHA), different
stable PHA production. PHA-based materials
Above: Celabor produced this food tray from wastewater- derived PHA
alternatives were tested. These included the use of different types of bacterial cultures (pure and mixed cultures) and operation times. The results indicate the need for a fine control system in order to achieve
were made by Lurederra of Spain. To improve its mechanical properties, the PHA was combined with another bio-based polymer. Celabor of Belgium used the material to make plastic trays for food packaging. Nova Institute in Germa- ny analysed social percep- tions of the project – and found that participants were not concerned about food contact of wastewater-de- rived PHA. The project, coordinated by Idener of Spain, began in 2017 and ended in February 2022. �
www.nova-institute.eu
TricorBraun buys distributor
US-based TricorBraun is to acquire flexible packaging distributor PBFY from PWS. The acquisition, which is
expected to close later this month, will expand Tricor- Braun’s flexible packaging division.
All PBFY employees will
remain with TricorBraun, as part of its flexible packaging division. “PBFY is an important addition to our flexible packaging offerings, enabling us to provide
customers with expanded services and supply chain options,” said Court Carru- thers, president and CEO of TricorBraun. “We look forward to investing in its continued growth.” �
www.tricorbraun.com
RecyClass issues polystyrene protocol
The latest RecyClass protocol covers post-consumer polystyrene pots used for yoghurt
The RecyClass initiative in Europe has published its Recyclability Evaluation Protocol for Polystyrene Containers, covering post-consumer polystyrene pots used for yoghurt and other food and beverage products. The protocol aims to guarantee the mechanical recyclability of polystyrene packaging, while maintaining protec- tion properties, ensuring polystyrene recycling process efficiency and
6 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | April 2022
encouraging innovation, according to RecyClass.. RecyClass said the document details laboratory testing methodology and represents – as accurately as possible – how the polystyrene mechanical recycling process should work at an industrial scale, allowing polystyrene containers to be recycled into applications with a higher value. �
https://recyclass.eu
www.filmandsheet.com
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
IMAGE: CELABOR
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