FKuR has been on a growth spurt. The company's flagship bioplastic, Bio-Flex, is a blend of blends of co-polyester and PLA with a very high content of natural resource material, and comes in thirteen grades. Each Bio-Flex packaging film provides a high barrier against humidity, oxygen and flavour or alternatively adequate permeability, depending on the grade.
Bio-Flex' siblings are Biograde, a cellulose based product of the paper industry, designed for injection moulding applications; Terralene, a collection of biobased polyethylene compounds made using Braskem's Green PE (the ethanol used for Green PE is not produced using crude oil, but instead is derived from sugarcane); and Fibrolon, natural fibre reinforced compounds (Wood-Plastics-Composites: WPC), which, unlike many other WPCs, can be injection moulded without problems.
At interpack, Fkur will be introducing the newest family members. Since the end of 2013, the company has offered a comprehensive range of distribution products.
In addition to the Green PE (Bio-PE) from Braskem S.A., FKuR now also distributes Evonik's VESTAMID Terra (Bio-PA), and GLOBIO, a biobased PE.
"With such a broad product portfolio, our customers now have the ability to access a unique variety of materials from a single source," said Patrick Zimmermann, director marketing and sales at FKuR.
"The immense product variety nowadays makes it more difficult for the producer to attract the consumer's attention. With our bioplastics we offer the possibility of communicating 'uniqueness' using the packaging."
FKuR's bioplastics are sustainable alternatives with added functionalities. For example, compostable bags and single-use catering items made from these materials can be disposed of together with food waste and organically recycled into valuable compost.
Another exhibition highlight is the achievement of the first production application for Bio-Flex F 6611, which has been converted to a new heat-resistant thermoformed food tray. This fully compostable tray has been produced by Plastisud in Italy.
The range of possible applications for compostable products is very wide, for example as bags, pouches, nets and similar food packaging products.
For durable, non-biodegradable products, FKuR offers bio-based products such as Bio PE, Bio PET and Bio PA. These products have a favourable carbon footprint and can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They have the same characteristics as their fossil-based equivalents and can be widely used in the packaging industry. Laminates of Bio PE with Bio PET or Bio PA can significantly enhance the barrier properties of bioplastics and extend the shelf life of food products.
