MATERIALS | MULTI-LAYER FILM
polymers – which are typically incompatible in these concentrations, it said. The compatibility of the PE/PA6 systems that
were tested applies to both new injection mould- ing and blown film applications. Roland Bothor, who is responsible for ecodesign and development projects at Cyclos-HTP, said: “For us, it was surprising what positive contribution the PA6 content made to the properties of the indus- trial polyethylene recyclate used as a reference.”
Above: SP has used Nurel’s Inzea biopolymer to develop a multi-layer compostable barrier film
ter, it can be recycled like normal PET. The recycla- ble lidding film can be used on various tray structures including PET trays. A PET tray with ExtraPET film lid is a mono-material packaging solution that is recyclable.
PA6 works in PE waste stream Multi-layer film with up to 30% polyamide 6 can be recycled in the polyethylene stream, according to research commissioned by BASF. The tests were carried out by Institute Cyclos-
HTP, which assesses and certifies the recyclability of packaging. BASF says the result will form the basis of a review of the German Packaging Act – which lists PA6 as an ‘incompatible’ component in the LDPE packaging waste stream. “It is time to correct the categorisation of polyamide 6 and the related PA6/6.6 co-polyam- ides as ‘incompatible’ contaminants and to put it on a solidly updated basis,” said Rolf-Egbert Grützner, senior manager technical support for Ultramid extrusion polyamides at BASF. Cyclos-HTP has also classified PE/PA6 multi-layer films as fully recyclable when using compatibilisers in PA6-containing film structures – in addition to the PA6 content of up to 30% in original packaging films. This allows homogeneous mixing of the
Compostable barrier SP Group and Nurel Biopolymers have devel- oped a multi-layer film structure with a high oxygen barrier, which is also compostable. Many barrier film structures cannot be recycled because of their complexity, say the companies. The new films have been used to package
products such as salmon, and the partners are testing its effectiveness for other products such as energy bars, nuts and salt. The films, which were made using Nurel’s Inzea biopolymers, can be processed in conventional facilities, are transparent and sealable, have a high bio-based content and are suitable for food contact. At the end of their life they can be man- aged together with the organic waste. “This film meets all the quality requirements for
packaging foods such as smoked salmon,” said Maria de Guía Blanco, R&D project engineer at SP Group. “Processing has been very simple, and oxygen permeability results are comparable to EVOH high barrier structures.” A challenge in the project was to achieve a compostable material that could be processed without difficulty on a conventional blown film extruder, while maintaining transparency and providing high oxygen barrier properties. SP targets these films at packaging applications
of fresh, dry or refrigerated products that require a high oxygen barrier.
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uniformly distribute each polymer included in the multi-layer production process. This creates a balanced layer structure capable of protecting the end product from a variety of external elements.
WWW.NORDSONPOLYMERPROCESSING.COM
IMAGE: NUREL/SP GROUP
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