Colines (Nibbia / Italy; www.colines.it) is continuing to develop techniques for the extrusion of thermoplastic resins produced from bio-degradable and compostable resources with production tests on barrier film in PLA and PVOH, claiming equivalent productivity levels as achieved with standard resins such as EVOH and PA. The materials have been extruded on the company’s lines using both cast and blown techniques, with up to seven layers and structures ranging in thickness from 50 to 90 micron.

The company said that optical performance is excellent, with good haze and gloss values, and that products offer superior printability. The combined structure of PLA and PVOH creates a barrier film that is resistant to gas permeation and can be used in food packaging applications for fresh products including meat and fish, but in particular fruit and vegetables, which are guaranteed a shelf life within ‘green’ packaging. Colines said that in addition to improved optical and mechanical characteristics of the resins, the cost of sugar and starch, used as raw materials in the production of bio-plastics, has decreased in recent years, making use of the resins more attractive.