Technological watch

SECOS launches new certified home compostable resin 

The new bio-based resin formulation enables SECOS Biopolymer bags and film products to be composted by householders in their home-compost bin or via existing organic waste collection arrangements such as green bin waste.

Having identified a range of food and consumer packaging applications as key strategic growth markets, SECOS’ new resin complements the Company’s existing compostable resin range and opens significant new opportunities to supply the food and packaging sectors domestically and internationally.
The new grade was developed in response to demand from major retail brands plus film and bag producers, who increasingly require bags and film to be produced from home compostable resin, to meet their sustainability requirements and to reduce non-compostable, oil-based plastic waste, of which a high proportion ends up in land fill.
“SECOS is seeing a significant increase in demand for certified Home Compostable resin, which when converted into food and consumer packaging, or bags, offer consumers multiple end-of-life options including Home Composting,” said SECOS Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ian Stacey.
This latest home compostable Cardia (BF03-HC) resin grade is FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) compliant and safe for food contact applications.
Cardia resins are certified compostable to AS4736, EN13432, ASTM D6400, in addition to which, the new home compostable grade is certified to Australian and French Home Compostable standards, AS 5810 and NF-T51-800.
The new resin grade is suitable for use across a range of flexible applications. It allows SECOS to provide a product packaging and waste management solution that directs used packaging to either a home compost or an industrial compost end of life solution, which is consistent with Circular Economy Principles.

“SECOS is working with converters in both domestic and several overseas markets, who are looking to utilize Home Compostable resin in a number of new applications such as Box Liners, Food Packaging Bags and Carry Bags,” Stacey continued.

“The Company’s new Home Composting certification will mean that carry bags, food produce bags and other fresh food packaged in compostable bags can be picked up from the retailer, stored at home and finally disposed of with food waste either into existing organic waste streams (e.g., via green bin waste when it is diverted to organic waste treatment processing) or via domestic composting. SECOS Compostable Bags assist householders in diverting food waste from land-fill which ultimately reduces greenhouse gas emissions.”

SECOS Head of Research & Development, Mr. Markus Leufgens, said: “The new Home Compostable formulation is a result of SECOS’ targeted R&D activities, which for the last year have been focused on the development of new compostable formulations. The Home Compostable formulation is the first new product from this program, and importantly meets Australian and International standards for Home Compostability. SECOS expects to further broaden its product range with the release a number of new grades in coming months.”

Australia-based SECOS Group Limited produces sustainable packaging and was formed through the merger of Cardia Bioplastics and Stellar Films Group in April 2015. The Home Compostable formulation will open significant new opportunities within the food and consumer packaging markets for SECOS. The Home Compostable formulation can be produced at our plants in both Malaysia and China.

http://www.secosgroup.com.au

Picture: Home Compostable Grape Bag & Box Liner, using SECOS Home Compostable Resin


 

Publication date: 09/10/2019

Bioplastics magazine (News)

This project has been co-funded with the support of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union [LIFE17 ENV/ES/000438] Life programme

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Last update: 2022-01-31