Sleeves go biodegradable and compostable

Sleever International has launched a fully biodegradable and compostable sleeve packaging film made from PLA - the Biosleeve.

Unlike the majority of plastics derived from petrol, non renewable resources and generally eliminated by incineration, PLA (poly lactic acid) is manufactured from raw plant materials such as corn or potatoes. This natural origin gives it the advantage of being compostable.

In effect, says Sleever, the new film satisfies the ISO 14855-2:2007 norm on degradability, that determines both the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastics materials in controlled compost situations (analysis of carbon dioxide released) and the gravimetric measurement of carbon dioxide released during laboratory tests.

Thanks to this norm, the Biosleeve is claimed to satisfy the only realistic definition of biodegradability: “a material is said to be biodegradable if it is degraded by micro-organisms, resulting in the formation of water and CO2, and possibly a new biomass that is non-toxic for humans and the environment”.

Compatible with up to 10 colour, double-sided UV gravure and flexo printing using solvent-free low energy inks, the Biosleeve is designed for use on the entire range of Powersleeve machines and Powersteam shrink applicators.

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