Innovia Films (Wigton / UK; www.innoviafilms.com) has introduced “Propafilm” RCU BOPP film, which it claims can provide up to 18 months of protection from mineral oil migration. The material was developed following a thorough investigation by the company into the mineral oil hydrocarbon (MOH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbon (MOAH) barrier protection of its films, it said.

Traces of mineral oil residues in food are thought to arise due to their migration from the printing inks present both on the packaging surface and in recycled newspapers, used in the production of cardboard packaging. The company’s findings indicate that its proprietary acrylic coated film provides an effective barrier to mineral oil migration. The resulting film, in addition to offering an excellent barrier, has superior optical properties, a low sealing threshold and a broader sealing range which makes it ideal for use in a variety of markets, including biscuits, bakery, confectionery, dried foods, tea and cereals, the company said.

Recently, Innovia Films said that “Seaweed Chips” from Ocean’s Halo (http://oceanshalo.com) are using its bio-based “NatureFlex” packaging, derived from sustainable wood pulp, which offers barriers to oxygen and moisture, and is certified compostable. Robert Mock, co-founder of Ocean’s Halo stated, “We were introduced to the Innovia Films’ compostable packaging alternative, 'NatureFlex', by Genpak (www.genpak.com), a leading food packing company with manufacturing locations in both the US and Canada. Over the past two years, we have built a great partnership with Genpak to bring our products to market with not only high quality material, but also with a like-minded approach to the environment.”