MATERIALS | AGRICULTURAL FILM


pollutants (which the sector wants to avoid). “Current biodegradable solutions are imper-


fect,” she added. “There is no perfect mulch film.” There is a constant need to balance film cost,


Above: Greenhouse film protects against the ravages of the environment, including UV light


grade with an LDPE as a blend partner was used, rather than standard materials. A similar material blend also reduced haze by around 30% in a 200-micron film, compared to a blend of LDPE and LLDPE.


At the same time, its Exceed Tough+ grades allowed the creation of ‘soft’ greenhouse films – which combine soft touch, toughness and low haze.


UV protection Agricultural film must be protected against many environmental factors, including the effect of UV light. Leonardo Martinez, technical director of performance chemicals at 3V Sigma, explained how its UV stabilisers help to create thinner film. He said the company’s Uvasorb HA192X is a high molecular weight HALS, with thermal stability, low volatility and low reactivity with acidic species. “It will not be lost during film processing and will


remain in the film for its lifespan – even in very thin films,” he said.


It has been used in thick greenhouse films and subjected to weathering tests and tensile testing over three years. The films were also exposed to sulphur – which is increasingly used in agriculture – and retained good mechanical properties. The same was true when the additive was used in thin films (for mulch film).


Degradable film The high cost of collecting and recycling agricul- tural film means that biodegradability – especially for mulch film – is gaining in importance. “Mulch films are a benefit bur disposal options


are problematic,” said Rochelle Zordich, head of engineering at Radical Catalyst. While mulch helps to suppress weeds, control pests and retain moisture, the film must afterwards be collected – and then disposed of via landfilling (which is costly) or incineration, which releases


20 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | April 2026


durability, performance and other factors, she said. Most mulch films (around 95%) are fossil-based and non-degradable. This means that less than 5% is biodegradable. The EN17033 European stand- ard specifies that mulch film must biodegrade at least 90% by conversion into CO2 within two years under natural soil conditions. At the same time, it must not harm soil health or organisms, there are strict limits on heavy metals and other toxic substances, and it must remain strong enough to work during a crop cycle. “There are no films certified for use on organic farms in the US,” she said. She said that Radical offers a new solution, as its films contain “a patented mineral additive” that trig- gers controlled molecular breakdown of plastic when it is exposed to sunlight.


Although she did not identify the additive, she said it was “naturally occurring” and could be easily incorporated into existing film manufacturing processes – with no need for extra equipment or steps. Film degrades in two phases: chemical, through


oxidation of the polymer; and biological, as soil microbes consume the broken-down plastic into biomass, CO2, water and trace minerals. She said the catalyst is not oxo-degradable, as it


“continues to regenerate and remains active allowing full molecular degradation”. It was developed over five years and patented in


2023. Since then, it has been optimised and commercialised. “Data confirms we can fine-tune and control the


onset of degradation to customise our products for specific crop cycles,” she said.


Biodegradable mulch Vincent Rohart, R&D project leader at Polyexpert, told delegates that biodegradable mulch (BDM) film does not always degrade in soil – and may need industrial composting. The company’s research objectives are to test BDMs in real climates, crops and soil types – and compare key parameters such as resin type, film thickness, colour and weather conditions. In addition, he said there is a range of materials used – which are either bio- or fossil-based, and biode- gradable or non-biodegradable. “We need resins that actually degrade under field conditions, regardless of whether they are bio- or fossil-based,” he said.


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IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK


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