Sustainable Window Patch Film for Carton Packaging

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Plastic-free Window Cartons – Sustainable, Plant-based Film

sustainable, plastic free, plant based window patch film for cartons

If you are looking to increase the sustainability of your window-patched cartons, you may be interested in a sustainable, eco-friendly window patch material that we can use at Dollard Packaging.

How is the sustainable window patch film made?

This film is made primarily from cellulose acetate flakes which are treated with additives and solvents and processed to create the film. Cellulose Acetate is a natural plastic, which is manufactured from purified natural cellulose. Natural cellulose is derived primarily from two sources, cotton linters (cotton wool) and wood pulp. In the manufacturing process of Cellulose Acetate, natural cellulose is reacted with acetic anhydride to produce Cellulose Acetate, which comes out in a flake form. The solvent used in the manufacturing of the film is recovered and reused.

What kind of eco-certifications does this film for window cartons have?

• Produced from wood-pulp –a natural and renewable resource
• Wood pulp is sourced from PEFC (Programme For the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified managed forestry
• Classed as paper and board according to UK Packaging Waste Regulations
• Certified as biodegradable to EN 13432, ASTM D6400* and Vincotte OK Compost Home
• 100% GM free material

*The EN13432 and ASTM D 6400 are the European and American industry standards for industrial biodegradability and compostability respectively. There are four requirements necessary to gain accreditation to these standards:
1) Heavy metal content – The films heavy metal content should fall within a predefined level described by the standards.
2) Disintegration – The film should disintegrate into pieces <2mm within a 12 week period when subjected to composting conditions.
3) Biodegradation – The film must biodegrade within a six month period to at least 90% of a reference cellulose sample.
4) Plant eco-toxicity – The resulting compost produced from part 3 is used to grow a selection of plants to ensure any bi-products of degradation are not harmful to plant life.

This film has attained both the EN13432 and ASTM D6400 standards for all standard grades up to and including 106.

In addition, the cellulose acetate films have accreditation to the Vincotte OK Compost Home program which requires biopolymers to be compostable at significantly lower temperatures when compared to industrial conditions. With the increase in popularity of home composting and increasing pressure on efficient waste management on both industry and the public, the OK Compost Home certification is extremely important to the environmental credentials of this film.

It should be noted that despite its inherent biodegradability, it is very stable and does not break down in normal end-use conditions.

What is the product range for this plastic-free window carton film?

Standard range:
24-micron gloss
30 and 35-micron gloss
40 and 50-micron gloss
95 and 115-micron gloss

Special range – Anti-UV film

What is the product visibility of this sustainable film?

Figure 1 below shows the product visibility of this eco-film on the right (B) and a typical fossil fuel derived film (PET) on the left (A). Both films are 50 microns. The conditions of the films for the photos were as follows: Placed in a freezer for 3 weeks at -18 and -24.5 °C then removed from the freezer and placed in a conditioned laboratory (23°C, 50% RH)

Bendability of this eco-film

This film can bend around corners without showing signs of stress whitening. The film remains with the correct tension even as the packaging board expands and contracts in use.

Breathability of this eco film for window cartons

The eco-film is breathable for air (B), while preventing bacteria to enter the package. Perforated film is also breathable(A), but doesn’t prevent bacteria(C) going through the film. See figures 2 and 3 below.

Figure 2 Breathability of Perforated versus Porous eco-film.

(PET polyethylene terephthalate. PE polyethylene, PP Polypropylene)

Figure 3 Eco-film : Water Resistant and Vapour Permeable

Antifog

The eco film (Acetate) can absorb moisture like a sponge and the moisture can evaporate from the surface, unlike the anti-mist coatings.

Breathable Window Patch Applications

Food for Chill cabinets (prevents fogging)
Hot fill applications (prevent fogging)
High ERH food like Doughnuts, Fruit Filled Sponges
Live food like Crickets (breathable)
Direct Food contact approved for EU & NA

Temperature Resistant Properties

The temperature resistant properties are shown below in figure 4 below. Note: tests on each individual application are still recommended.

Figure 4: Temperature Resistant, Microwave Usable

If you would like to find out more about this eco-film, please contact us at Dollard Packaging. Tel 01 847 0044 or sales@dollard-packaging.ie