Recycle-ready, high-barrier, transparent: Innovia Films introduces ultra-functional Propafilm Strata SL

23 May 2019 --- Innovia Films is set to launch the first product in its new range of transparent high barrier packaging films, Propafilm Strata SL. The film has been designed to be a standalone mono filmic solution and can also be used in laminate constructions for a recycle-ready solution. It is recyclable in countries which have the infrastructure to recycle polypropylene films.

The new film is designed primarily for cereal bars, biscuits, snacks, dried fruit, nuts, tea and coffee applications. The technical challenge in creating Strata SL was to match the functionality achieved using a combination of many different layers within a laminate using a standalone mono film.

“We needed to achieve all the functionality in one film,” Stephen Langstaff, Global Business Manager Packaging for Innovia Films, tells PackagingInsights. “To do this, we still have to use different polymers in one extrusion, but we are very careful to use compatible materials that will not compromise recycling at the end-of-life.”

“Our new in-house technology has enabled us to produce a totally new film with unique barrier properties. Strata SL has a very effective barrier to aroma, mineral oils and oxygen even at high relative humidity levels, ensuring increased shelf-life and reduced food waste,” adds Alasdair McEwen, Global Product Manager Packaging for Innovia Films.

The new film is suitable for numerous applications, including cereal bars, biscuits, snacks, dried fruit, nuts, tea and coffee.The film can be used in laminate constructions to form recycle-ready solutions, but only if the infrastructure to recycle polypropylene films is in place. Langstaff explains that polypropylene film is recycled in some European countries but in general, filmic materials of any type are not collected and therefore are not being recycled. “Collection of films needs to be established as it is the first step towards a truly circular economy,” he says.

The fact that this film is transparent enables wrapped products to be seen by the consumer, a growing trend in the food industry. This glossy film is also food contact compliant and chlorine-free.

“Strata SL has performed exactly as we expected, proving excellent machinability and printability, during all our beta trials,” McEwen continues. “Some of our customers are currently running shelf-life tests to prove the product for their particular application, which will provide us with real test results.”

Langstaff also illustrates some concern that the rising tide of public anti-plastic sentiment can distract from the sustainability benefits of recycle-ready film solutions like Strata SL.

“The anti-plastic sentiment is in total contradiction to the strengths that plastics can bring both in an environmental concept and also to our everyday life. There has to be a recognition that reducing food waste and reducing carbon footprint is the key environmental consideration and this is currently forgotten. BOPP is a low carbon footprint film with excellent functionality and is highly resource efficient,” he explains.

Innovia currently sells films to over 100 countries worldwide. Strata SL is only now becoming available on the market and will be rolled out globally.

“This new development is very timely in view of the industry moving towards recyclability and a circular economy. Our next product launch will follow very soon and will offer even higher barrier levels,” McEwen concludes.Strata SL has a very effective barrier to aroma, mineral oils and oxygen even at high relative humidity levels.

Designed-in recyclability has been a trend to watch in 2019. Two prominent examples come from leading global plastic packaging suppliers, Amcor and Mondi, which both introduced fully-recyclable flexible stand-up pouches – a pack type that has been notoriously hard to recycle in the past. Last month, Amcor unveiled its AmLite Ultra Recyclable high-barrier laminate pack – the first product made from the company’s breakthrough recyclable polyolefin film.

Meanwhile, Mondi showcased its new, fully-recyclable stand-up pouch made of a monomaterial (polyethylene) with removable wrap-around label at the international trade show PLMA (Private Label Manufacturers Association) in Amsterdam on 21-22 May. The design overcomes many shortcomings in the recycling process and is the result of a joint four-year effort by Mondi, Werner & Mertz, EPEA Switzerland (Cradle to Cradle), Der Grüne Punkt – Duales System Deutschland and Institut cyclos-HTP to transition flexible packaging to a circular model.

By Joshua Poole