Croatia-based specialist packaging producers EcoCortec has created marine biodegradable film products to help tackle the plastic packaging waste polluting the oceans across the world.
Biobased polymer technology has been used to create these eco-friendly film and bags, which contains about 77% biobased content and is fully marine biodegradable.
The products are capable of biodegrading in marine environments, anaerobic digestion, natural soil and water environments, backyard composting systems and municipal composting facilities.
The targeted markets for these products are cruise lines, hotels and resorts in coastal parts of Europe, and environmentally sensitive areas around rivers and lakes. The company says that the film and bags can also be used in community composting programs, anaerobic digestion programs, organic waste diversion, lawn and leaf bags, retail packaging, T-shirt bags and agricultural films.
Talking about the product, EcoCortec said, "Although we do not promote marine disposal, in the event that this product should reach the waterways it will biodegrade in months instead of remaining in the ocean for hundreds of years like ordinary plastic films."
According to the company, the product is heat and moisture resistant, making it suitable for compostable bags. The product is made of biobased resins and has been awarded USDA BioPreferred designation for packaging materials, the purpose of which is to promote the increased purchase and use of biobased products.
The firm which is an offshoot of Minnesota-based Cortec is constructing a new 1,600 square metre production hall at its Croatian facility to house three more hi-tech extrusion lines and a VpCI papers confectioning line as part of its €3m site expansion scheme.
