Biodegradable films

Our sustainable film products

Mineral oil as a base material for film packaging is becoming scarce goods. Accordingly, there is a need for alternatives as substitutes. Another aspect of sustainability in this context is a good carbon dioxide balance. When using films, it is important to combine the intended use with the sustainability of the film material. There are many aspects that speak for or against the individual possible film types. Referring to biodegradable films a general distinction must be made between:

• recyclability
• extraction from renewable resources
• biodegradability
• home compostability

In this connection you should keep in mind that a film made from renewable resources is not generally biodegradable. And conversely a biodegradable film does not have to consist purely of renewable raw materials.

Even though our films are biodegradable, it is still advisable to dispose them via the common return systems with subsequent waste-to-energy. The products certified according to DIN13432 can be decomposed into defined residual components within 90 days in an industrial composting composting plant, but these plants operate at different rhythms. Therefore the complete decomposition cannot be carried out. In addition, the quantity of completely compostable film products in the overall cycle is still too low, so that separate sorting and delivery to municipal composting plants makes neither ecological nor economic sense.

For further information, we recommend the website of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) of Germany at www.bmu.de