- 2 July 2007 -
Compostable mulch film developed from PLA blend

Biodegradable plastic producer FKuR Kunststoff GmbH and the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT have developed and brought to market the first compostable mulch film based on a polylactide (PLA) blend.

The Bio-Flex® mulch film was tested on a variety of crops by several European Research Institutes in the run-up to industrial production. The films have also been tested worldwide in different climates. The crop yield is said to be comparable to conventional mulch films made of polyethylene (PE) and the film degrades slower in comparison to other biofilms based on starch. After the crop yield, the biofilm can be ploughed into the soil and will continue to degrade. Since 2005, Oerlemans Plastics bV has collaborated with the organisation on the industrial application of the films.

The films can be produced on extruders used in the production of LDPE films and can be laid out with conventional laying machines. The granules and film are fully compostable according to EN 13432 and are certified according to DIN Certco, OK Compost, NFU 52001 and Ecocert.

FKuR Kunststoff GmbH; www.fkur.com
Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT; www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de
Oerlemans Plastics bV; www.oerlemansplastics.nl