Compostable coffee packaging solution

Innovia Films’ compostable, cellulose-based material NatureFlex is helping a New Zealand coffee roaster meet its commitment to being socially and environmentally responsible.

Caffe Prima, based in Christchurch, has chosen to use Econic coffee bags. The bags were specifically developed by New Zealand converter Convex Plastics, using NatureFlex renewable and compostable films in their construction.

“Coffee is a very demanding product to package because maintaining freshness and taste is absolutely paramount. Packs have to be puncture and impact resistant and offer high barrier and good seal integrity to keep oxygen out and aroma in. Coupled with this, Caffe Prima was looking for a solution that was kind to the environment. NatureFlex ticked all the boxes as far as we were concerned,” said Andrew Sheerin, Technical Manager, Convex Plastics.

A laminate construction was produced using three flexible films that are certified compostable and renewable - reverse printed clear NatureFlex, high-barrier metallised NatureFlex and starch-based biopolymer.

NatureFlex films are certified to meet the American ASTM D6400, European EN13432 and Australian AS4736 standards for compostable packaging. The wood pulp is sourced from managed plantations from referenced suppliers operating Good Forestry principals (FSC or equivalent). The renewable bio-based content of the films is typically 95% by weight of material according to ASTM D6866. It  has been confirmed as suitable for emerging ‘waste to energy’ techniques such as anaerobic digestion.

NatureFlex was a good solution for this application as the film begins life as a natural product - wood - and breaks down at the end of its life cycle in a home compost bin or industrial compost environment within weeks.