Innovia Films, a major producer of highly differentiated specialty biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films, is launching a new family of films it says is both functional and recyclable.
The Encore BOPP films are manufactured from renewable non-food based raw materials, which the company based in Wigton, United Kingdom, says helps to reduce the use of fossil fuel-based virgin raw materials.
The first two grades of Encore film to be launched over the coming weeks, will include one with a low-temperature heat seal for packaging and another targeted at pressure-sensitive labeling applications.
The Encore packaging and labeling film range will have the same properties as equivalent standard BOPP film, offering high clarity and gloss, high stiffness, excellent water vapor barrier and printability. They can be used in all market segments that are currently using BOPP films.
Encore has already been assessed by Interseroh, an independent German recycling and consulting company, and the product range has received the highest rating, confirming they are fully recyclable.
“We have calculated using our in-house life cycle analysis (LCA) program, that by using renewable polymer we can determine that Encore films offer reductions in carbon footprint, said Steve Langstaff, business manager for packaging.
He added that this is the first step toward producing more sustainable films, with the next being products that contain recycled post-consumer content. "We have agreements in place and hope to be able to launch the first of these in 2022.”