German bioplastics specialist FKuR (Willich; www.fkur.de) has developed new compounds for home compostable films and packaging. The new compounds, part of its "Bio-Flex" range of biodegradable plastics, can be used for low gauge films that will biodegrade completely in garden compost at low, variable temperatures.

FKuR said most of the grades are suitable for use in the French retail sector where the use of plastic bags for fruit and vegetables as well as at the cheese, meat and fish counters, are now banned, but bags made from home compostable bioplastic containing a minimum 30% amount of renewable raw materials are excluded from the ban. The new rules, part of France’s energy transition law, came into effect in January. The minimum percentage is to be lifted to 40% in 2018, 50% in 2020 and 60% by 2025 – see Plasteurope.com of 15.02.2016.

The new FKuR product range comprises translucent and opaque grades. Bio-Flex FX 1803 (30% biobased) as well as F 1804 and F 1814 (both 40% biobased) are translucent, while Bio-Flex F 1814 offers increased tear resistance, the company said. Bio-Flex FX 1821 (10% biobased), FX 1823 (30% biobased) and FX 1824 (40% biobased) grades are opaque, and have increased tear resistance and toughness, it added.

The compounds have already been issued with "OK Compost" (www.okcompost.be) certification by Belgium’s Vinçotte (www.aib-vincotte.com) international certification institute.