Metpack and BASF Cooperate on Compostable Paper

The Ezycompost paper from Metpack benefits from being coated with Ecovio 70 PS14H6 from BASF. The biopolymer is certified as home compostable (EN 13432 and AS 5810) and has several functional advantages for paper that is processed into food packaging: It is approved for food contact (FDA) and shows excellent barrier properties against liquids, grease, lubricating grease and mineral oil as well as temperature stability in boiling water up to 100 °C. This combination of proven compostability and outstanding performance gives manufacturers of paper packaging and branded goods the assurance that food packaging made from Ezycompost can be safely used by consumers and will not create persistent microplastics in the home compost after use. The new home compostable solution thus supports the organic recycling of food waste and helps to close the nutrient loop to achieve a circular economy.

There is a big trend, supported by legislation in some countries, to switch from plastic to paper-based packaging. However, this paper packaging in itself is not suitable for many foods, especially if they contain liquid or fatty ingredients. Metpack's new home compostable and coated paper can be used for many food contact applications, such as cups for cold or hot drinks and containers and trays for frozen or microwave use. It can be molded on standard machines, allowing higher coating speeds and a 40% thinner coating than polylactic acid (PLA). Ecovio 70 PS14H6 enables coating speeds comparable to those of polyethylene (PE). The material does not stick to the chill rollers, can be excellently sealed and printed and can be processed without adhesives in mono or co-extrusion processes.

"With Ezycompost, we can offer the food industry the best of both worlds when it comes to coated paper packaging," says Sühan Gürer, Sales and Product Development, Metpack. "It has the same strength as PE-coated paper, but with the added benefit of being certified compostable and not generating persistent microplastics in organic waste or paper waste. The faster processing and home compostability are a double advantage compared to coatings made from PLA, which is only industrially compostable. All this enables companies in the packaging industry to stand out from the competition and achieve their sustainability goals without compromising on performance and quality." Metpack's paper solution is certified up to a grammage of 334 g/m² in total composition.

Ezycompost food packaging coated with Ecovio 70 PS14H6 can be composted in garden compost after use in accordance with national legislation. BASF's home-compostable Ecovio thus extends the end-of-life options for paper food packaging.

 "Ecovio 70 PS14H6 is also industrially compostable and can be used in paper recycling," says Michael Bernhard Schick, Global Marketing Biopolymers, BASF. "The home compostability is even certified according to the world's strictest Australian standard AS 5810. Our biopolymer is available with a biobased content of between 70 and 80 percent renewable raw materials according to ASTM D 6866. If customers want to reduce their carbon footprint even further, we can also supply a certified biomass balanced (BMB) variant: The fossil raw materials are replaced 100% with waste-based, renewable raw materials at the start of production and these are assigned to the BMB grade. As a result, it has a 25% lower carbon footprint than the standard grade." 

The BMB variant has the same properties and certificates for biodegradability as well as the same performance and processability as the standard Ecovio 70 PS14H6. Due to its excellent barrier properties, the BASF biopolymer also enables the use of recycled paper in food packaging.

BASF biopolymers support organic recycling

The BASF biopolymer Ecovio is certified compostable, e.g. according to DIN EN 13432. Typical applications for Ecovio are organic waste bags, cling film, fruit and vegetable bags as well as agricultural mulch films and food packaging. Studies prove the advantages of Ecovio in the production, packaging and shelf life of food as well as in the collection of food waste. These benefits are based on the certified biodegradability of the material in industrial and home composting as well as in agricultural soil: food waste is reduced, nutrients are returned to the soil through larger amounts of compost. In addition, the accumulation of long-lasting microplastics in agricultural soils is avoided, so that organic recycling closes the nutrient cycle to a circular economy.