Tags: Certifications / Innovia Films / Innovia NatureFlex

* Innovia Films has gained CarbonNeutral® certification for its full range of cellulose-based NatureFlex™ coated biodegradable and compostable packaging films.

The CarbonNeutral® certification for NatureFlex™ has been achieved following an independent assessment of the CO2 emissions produced in the manufacture of coated NatureFlex™ products and then a reduction of this to net zero through carbon offsetting.  The carbon offset projects that counter balance the CO2 emissions were specifically chosen as they support the development of anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities in the Netherlands.  The carbon offset project reduces methane emissions into the atmosphere and displaces fossil fuels used to heat local buildings.

“The fit between this type of project and NatureFlex™ is perfect as NatureFlex™ is suitable for disposal using emerging ‘waste to energy’ techniques such as AD, aiding the diversion of organic wastes from landfill,” said Andy Sweetman, Innovia Films’ Business Development & Sustainability Manager.

Schematic diagram illustrating how the Anaerobic Digestion process works – www.biogas-info.co.uk

AD is the process where plant and animal material (biomass) is converted into useful products by micro-organisms in the absence of air.  Almost any biomass from manure to municipal waste (but not woody material) can be put inside a digester tank where naturally occurring organisms gradually break it down.

Dr John Williams, Polymers and Materials Manager from the NNFCC stated, “Filmic food packaging is notoriously difficult to segregate and recycle economically.  However, make that packaging from a biopolymer and it can go into a digester along with the food waste, simplifying waste disposal for consumers, diverting biodegradable waste from landfill and providing renewable low carbon energy.  The advent of enhanced sorting and identification systems for conventional polymers also means that biopolymers can be easily distinguished from their petrochemical counterparts during waste segregation.”

In terms of what AD could mean for waste management in the future, Dr Williams added: “The UK produces over 100 million tonnes of organic material suitable for treatment by AD.  If this material managed to find its way into digesters we could produce 10-20 TWh of heat and power per year by 2020.  The UK now has a Renewable Energy Strategy for the delivery of 15% renewable energy by 2020, and with government backing the technology, AD promises to contribute significantly to our renewable energy demands.”

The NatureFlex™ range of films comprises a transparent cellulose base manufactured from sustainable wood pulp.  By adding specially formulated biodegradable and compostable surface layers Innovia Films is able to control the moisture permeability of these films to produce material suitable across a whole range of applications from high moisture content fresh produce to more hygroscopic bakery products.

Web: www.innoviafilms.com

NatureFlex™ is a registered trademark of Innovia Films Group.

Innovia Films Ltd, is a major producer of Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) and cellulose (Cellophane™) films with production sites in the UK, USA, Belgium and Australia.  It holds a leading global position in the markets for labels and security films, coated packaging, overwrap and biodegradable and compostable films.  The latter, under the brand-name NatureFlex™, made Innovia the first film company globally to carry a product range that offsets the residual carbon-balance.

Worldwide Innovia Films employs some 1,350 people, with a focus on high quality speciality products, strong customer relationships, R&D, and unsurpassed service.

The NNFCC is the UK’s national centre for renewable fuels, materials and technologies – visit www.nnfcc.co.uk for more information.

The CarbonNeutral Company (www.carbonneutral.com) is a world leading provider of carbon reduction solutions.  It works with over 300 major businesses and thousands of small and medium sized companies in 32 countries to develop offset inclusive carbon reduction programmes.  Since 1997, it has purchased carbon credits from over 200 projects across six continents.

CarbonNeutral® is the registered trademark of The CarbonNeutral Company and is a global standard to certify that businesses have measured and reduced their CO2 emissions to net zero for their company, products, operations or services.  Permission to display the CarbonNeutral® mark is only given to clients whose carbon reduction programme is implemented in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol.  The Protocol assures quality of offset projects, carbon footprint assessments and communication and is regularly reviewed by an Independent Advisory Group.  The company’s ‘audit trail’ includes an annual independent verification of CarbonNeutral programs – from contracts with carbon offset partners through to contracts with clients and everything in between.