The compounder and plastics distributor FKuR Kunststoff GmbH, Willich, Germany, the film manufacturer Oerlemans Plastics BV, Genderen, the Netherlands, and the specialist foodstuffs packaging distributor BK Pac AB, Kristianstad, Sweden, are closely working together on expanding the possibilities for using bio-based plastics for sustainable foodstuffs film packaging.

In this transnational cooperation project, bioplastics specialist FKuR is the distributor for the Green PE from the world-leading, Brazilian biopolymer manufacturer Braskem which is used to produce the film. This 100% recyclable, sugar cane-based polyethylene helps to reduce the environmental impact caused by greenhouse gases because using renewable raw materials binds up to 2.15 tonnes of atmospheric CO2 for each tonne of Green PE. And since the plastic is not biodegradable, this CO2 remains bound in the plastic over the entire product life cycle.

In the next step, Oerlemans Plastics uses the Braskem bio-based PE supplied by FKuR in its two production sites in Genderen and Giessen in the Netherlands to produce high-quality flexible films. Thanks to its extensive, modern extrusion, printing and conversion facilities, the company can respond flexibly to changing requirements and supply customised solutions.

The printed and perforated films produced from Green PE are sent to the Scandinavian distributor BK Pac, which specialises in packaging materials such as films, trays, bags, carton boxes etc. for vegetables, fruit, meat and other foodstuffs. Being a local company, BK is highly familiar with the requirements of its customers and the market and can therefore feed valuable information back into the value chain which can be used for further development and innovation.

Since the introduction of the product line based on Braskem's Green PE, the three companies have been continuously working together on extending and further developing the line with the aim of promoting this bio-based plastic as a sustainable alternative on the Scandinavian market. As Patrick Zimmermann, Marketing & Distribution Manager at FKuR Kunststoff, says: "Our successful collaboration with Oerlemans Plastics and BK Pac is typical of our continuous search for ways of increasing product sustainability by using renewable resources. It is also a model for many further possible national and multinational cooperative projects. It clearly demonstrates the potential of such projects to conserve resources and help to maintain an environmental balance while at the same time generating economic benefits along the entire value chain by using Green PE."

Bioplastics are a unique class of materials which are based on renewable resources and/or enable the biodegradation of products made from these polymers.

FKuR Kunststoff GmbH is a leading producer of bioplastic compounds for flexible packaging solutions and technical applications. FKuR’s activities include the product lines Bio-Flex®, Biograde®, Fibrolon®, Terralene® as well as the distribution of a variety of bio-based products.

More info:
www.fkur.com
www.fkur-biobased.com
www.oerlemansplastics.nl
www.bkpac.se