At the same time this type of foil provides a high degree of mechanical stability and is suitable for thermo-forming applications on all types of packaging machines without the need for modifica-tions. Their thermal formability is significantly better than that of un-foamed foils. For instance, extremely deep forms can be realised without the need of a punch. Structures indented into the moulding die are produced with exact and detailed shapes on the foamed foil. Moreover, the foamed Apet-foil can be cut easily without forming sharp edges or pointed corners. The wear and tear of the cutting tools is also reduced. Apart from weight reductions, the foaming effect has other advantages, Gregor Schleicher explains: “Their insulating effect extends the shelf life of packed products. The foam structure is appealing and attractive and the foil and packaging has soft and smooth haptic properties. This and the possibility to print the foil and produce it in different colours create an additional incentive for the consumers to buy the products. Foamed foil on a polyester basis is also suitable for the production of trays, tablets, tubs, plates or cubs both for food and non-food products. Therefore meat and sausage products, cheese, snack articles, fish and seafood, poultry, bakery goods and convenience food can be packed in this type of material just as well as non-food products. Finally it combines good de-stacking properties with skid resistance. Dr. Kurt Stark, Director Business Development, Buergo.Fol, Ingolstadt All in all this doesn‘t justify the currently high prices for foils based on biological materials. The fewest consumers are ready to pay this price because they are not yet convinced of packaging materials based on biological raw materials. The abundance of bio-labels and the controversial discussion confuses and irritates them even more. It is possible that it may take many years until rene-wable and sustainable bio-plastics and the products made of them can function as a serious alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Light-weight foils The best way to produce environmentally friendly plastics is the production of light and thin foils such as foamed Apet-foils Buergo.PET with 300 to 800 μ. Compared to conventional Apet-foils, the weight of foamed foils can be reduced by as much as 30%. This results in a significant reduction of material and thus in a more sustainable use of natural resources. Sustainable developments on the packaging market will dominate the future. In times of high price pres-sure, the economical use of resources is more im-portant than ever. Apart from cost savings achieved by material reduction and lower transportation costs due to the reduced weight, the significantly reduced DSD fees for the Green Dot programme should be considered. Since foamed Apet-foils mainly consist of recycled materials, their LCA values and their Carbon Footbrint are very good. The production of foamed Apet-foils Buergo.PET expanded – compared to the un-foamed type – on the one hand requires approx. half the energy per kg of polymers, on the other hand CO2 emissions (in kg CO2 eg / kg polymers) are also reduced by more than 50%. 1: Getränkebecher aus Buergo.PET expanded 2: Schwarzes Bodenteil einer Verpackung aus Buergo.PET expanded 3: Weißes Bodenteil einer Verpackung aus Buergo.PET expanded 4: Buergo.PET expanded gibt es in verschiedenen Farben 1: Drink cup made of Buergo.PET expanded 2: Black bottom part of a packaging made of Buergo.PET expanded 3: White bottom part of a packaging made of Buergo.PET expanded 4: Buergo.PET expanded is available in different colours sees the recycling of PET bottles in danger. Already small shares of PLA may cause a serious interrupti-on of the recycling infrastructure of PET bottles in Europe.“ Gunnar Sohn, “Biokunststoffe erschweren Abfallentsorgung“, www.innovations-report.de. A further regression with regard to the use of biopolymers in packaging materials has presented itself in early 2013: Up until recently, biodegradable packaging materials based on renewable resources used to be exempt from DSD fees (Dual System Germany). This exemption ended on January 1, 2013 “Bioplastics Newsflash“, European Bioplastics. In June 2012 European Bioplastics announced that the alteration of the German bio-waste ordinance would eventually lead to a situation where not all types of bio-packaging materials can be disposed in the biological waste bin. The entire system of biopolymers based on renew-able raw materials is obviously still half-baked. There are only a few suppliers that in many cases have a monopoly position. Another fact is that foils based on biopolymers still cannot provide the material characteristics of conventional products based on petrochemical raw materials. In many cases they are too brittle, water- and temperature-sensitive (below 60°C in the case of PLA based products), have poor sealing properties (e.g. celluloses based materials), have difficult processing properties and don‘t offer barrier functions. Buergo.Fol manager Gregor Schleicher points out that biopolymers don‘t have the demanded properties. Without the support of oil-based polymers, the usual properties of foils and packaging cannot be achieved. Furthermore, Gregor Schleicher mentions moral concerns if plastic materi-als are based on human food or animal feed. 1 4 3 2 26 2014 Fotos: Buergo.Fol PACKAGING VERPACKEN
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