BIO-BASED AND LOW ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT: APPLICATIONS IN NOVAMONT’S MATER-BI BIOPLASTIC FOR THE FOOD PACKAGING, CATERING, RETAIL AND AGRICULTURAL SECTORS ON DISPLAY AT K

wednesday 19th october 2022

Düsseldorf – Novara, 19 October 2022 - Novamont, a Benefit Company, certified B Corporation and world leader in the green chemistry sector, has always been committed to developing biodegradable and compostable products, obtained from renewable sources, capable of solving the problem of the accumulation of microplastics and other harmful substances in soil, waters and sewage sludge, ensuring the same technical performance as products made from conventional materials. These bioplastics and bioproducts have been designed with resource regeneration in mind, according to a model that focuses on the decarbonisation of products and processes through the circular bioeconomy.
Novamont will be presenting numerous applications developed with its industrial partners at K 2022 in Düsseldorf (HALL 6 – STAND A58). Some examples:

RIGID FOOD PACKAGING (EXTRUSION AND THERMOFORMING): TRAYS AND CONTAINERS FOR MEAT, FISH, DAIRY PRODUCTS AND PASTA

60% to 100% bio-based content
Gas barrier (for modified atmosphere packaging – MAP)
Heat distortion temperature (HDT) up to 97 °C
Microwave safe
Possibility of modulating between rigidity and toughness
Weldability on compostable barrier films (peeling effect on some films)

The first high-barrier compostable packaging for fresh pasta, consisting of a 100% Mater-Bi thermoformed tray, heat-sealed film and label for fresh filled pasta (Pastificio Fontaneto)

This highly innovative application guarantees a set of very high technical performance characteristics: oxygen and water vapour barrier, needed to conserve pasteurised fresh filled pasta, shelf life of around 50 days (variable depending on the filling), high level of mechanical strength under different atmospheric and temperature conditions (freezer, fridge and room temperature), transparency permitting visibility of the food product on display – and efficient industrial transformation of the biopolymer identical to traditional packaging.

High-barrier compostable packaging for fresh meats (Fileni) consisting of a tray, film, label and absorbent pad

Fileni chose this packaging for its ‘antibiotic free’ fresh poultry range.
A compostable solution for packaging in a modified atmosphere (MAP) consisting of a rigid resistant tray, heat sealed film and label, for shelf life of over 15 days. The tray is a Mater-Bi coex structure while the heat-sealed film is made of PLA.
The label is printed on biodegradable paper.

FLEXIBLE FOOD PACKAGING (BLOWN FILM TECHNOLOGY): BAGS FOR FRUIT AND VEGETABLES, FRESH CHEESE, HOUSEHOLD FREEZER BAGS, HOUSEHOLD FILM

Wide range of mechanical properties
From opaque to transparent
Minimum thickness in the range of 10 µm
Excellent oil and grease resistance
Breathable (low water vapour barrier)

Compostable film for automatic and manual packaging (Melinda

The packaging of Melinda BIO range apples is now completely compostable thanks to Mater-Bi film developed for the automatic and manual packaging of fresh food. The tray is made of paper, the protective film is 100% Mater-Bi and the label is printed on biodegradable paper.

HIGH-BARRIER FLEXIBLE FOOD PACKAGING: PACKAGING SOLUTIONS FOR A WIDE RANGE OF LONG SHELF-LIFE PRODUCTS

Invaluable partnerships along the supply chain have also allowed the development of:

rigid and transparent coex films
high-barrier multilayer films

First high-barrier compostable laminated paper for the packaging of chocolate bars (Vanini by ICAM) and Dry Snacks (Misura and Colussi)

An alternative to small-sized, multi-material packaging which is impossible to recover. The structure of this packaging is a Mater-Bi bioplastic barrier film treated with COATHINK Technology from SAES and laminated onto paper.

PAPER- BASED PRODUCTS BY EXTRUSION COATING TOR THE PRODUCTION OF CUPS, COUNTER-TOP PAPER, HEAT-SEALABLE PAPER FOR FLEXIBLE PACKAGING, THERMOFORMED AND DIE-CUT PAPER TRAYS, WITH HEAT-SEALABLE FILMS

Excellent processability on conventional extrusion lines, comparable with LDPE
Good adhesion on various substrates (paper, plastic barrier films, metallised films, etc.)
Good weldability
Excellent oil and grease resistance
Oxygen and water vapour permeability

Optimum resistance to liquids
Proven heat resistance for high temperature and microwave applications
Toughness and puncture resistance
Three different end-of-life options: Industrial compostable, Home compostable and recyclable with paper

CATERING (THERMOFORMING AND INJECTION): PLATES, CUTLERY, CUPS, ICE CREAM CUPS, CONTAINERS

Heat resistant
Odourless
Microwave safe
Printable surface
White

RETAIL: CARRIER BAGS AND FRUIT AND VEGETABLE BAGS

Excellent mechanical strength
Good transparency and industrial/household compostability certified to Standard EN 13432
Bio-based raw material content of over 60% (fruit and vegetable bags)
Available in a range of sizes and designs

AGRICULTURE: MULCHING FILM

First film that biodegrades in the soil
OK Biodegradable Soil certified
EN 17033 standard compliant
Bio-based raw material content ≥ 60%
Non-GMO
Processable on common blown extrusion machines used for conventional plastics
Wide range of thicknesses (from 10 to 200 μm)
Optimisation of specifically developed pigmented masterbatches, guaranteeing high compatibility and good performance
High resistance and toughness
Recognised in organic agriculture

Usable in different environmental conditions and on crops with different cycles with excellent agronomic results, Mater-Bi mulching film biodegrades in the soil and therefore does not need to be recovered and disposed of at the end of the crop cycle. It can instead be left in the soil where it is biodegraded by microorganisms, thereby helping to reduce plastic waste and keep the soil free from plastic pollution.

The transition form a linear economy to a circular economy is a historic challenge. Novamont has developed an integrated value chain both upstream and downstream, favouring the efficient use of resources, with five world-leading plants for the production of bio-based and biodegradable products – bioplastics, bioherbicides, biolubricants and ingredients for cosmetics – designed to solve the serious problems of pollutant accumulation in soil, water and sewage sludge and to increase the recovery of waste. A metric, known as regenerative turnover, has been developed with which Novamont’s contribution to the circular bioeconomy can be measured. Calculated by multiplying turnover by the Circular Flow Index (CFI), i.e. the amount of green energy or materials generated from renewable sources or through recycling or that are disposed of using regenerative solutions, this indicator allows us to calculate our capacity to generate revenues not just from our products, but also from circular activities. In 2021, 71% of Novamont’s turnover was regenerative.

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Novamont is a Benefit Company, certified B Corporation, world leader in the production of bioplastics and in the development of biochemicals and bioproducts through the integration of chemistry, environment and agriculture. With 650 employees, the group has a turnover of approximately 414 million euro and constantly invests in research and innovation (50 million euro in 2021, employing 20% of staff); it holds approximately 1,400 patents and patent applications. It has headquarters in Novara, production plants in Terni, Bottrighe (Rovigo province) and Patrica (Frascati province) and research laboratories in Novara, Terni and Piana di Monte Verna (Caserta province). It has set up a joint venture with Versalis (Eni group) in Porto Torres (Sassari province) and a company for the development and distribution of agricultural solutions with Coldiretti. It is active internationally with offices in Germany, France, Spain and the United States. Through its distributors Novamont is present in more than 40 countries on all continents. In 2021 it acquired BioBag International, a world leader in the development, production and marketing of certified biodegradable and compostable applications, with headquarters in Askim (Norway), a production plant in Dagö (Estonia) and a presence in nine other countries worldwide

www.novamont.com

For information:
Francesca De Sanctis - +39 340 1166426 francesca.desanctis@novamont.com