ITENE showcases its bioplastics innovations at the European Bioplastics Conference in Berlin
The research centre will participate in this forum in Berlin from the 10th to the 11th of December, where it will also present its extensive catalogue of testing services.
The ITENE research centre will attend the European Bioplastics Conference in Berlin (Germany) on December 12th and 13th. This conference addresses the latest innovations in bio-based and biodegradable plastics.
ITENE will showcase its technological solutions for industry challenges there, including tailor-made additives to improve the properties of biopolymers, advanced materials, and sustainable products, fit-for-purpose packaging solutions, and biodegradability and compostability testing.
ITENE will have a stand at the conference to showcase its capabilities for developing bioplastics. Among the advanced compostable materials on display will be two biodegradable food trays: one made from a rice husk-reinforced polymer and the other with PLA and MFC reinforcement. Both have been improved for their suitability as packaging for fresh food, such as meat or dry goods.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about a compostable flexible film for packaging nuts, fresh vegetables or salad. This film has barrier properties adapted to each type of product, high flexibility, excellent sealing and a suitable coefficient of friction for use in industrial packaging equipment. In addition, this film has improved barrier properties against elements such as water vapour or oxygen, which affect the preservation and, therefore, the shelf life of the packaged product.
ITENE will also present a flexible food packaging developed with EVERSIA. This design ensures an optimal level of protection and sealing thanks to its improved barrier properties. In addition, compostable polyester single-dose containers will be on display, with improved mechanical properties and excellent processability for food applications.
ITENE will also present its extensive testing catalogue at European Bioplastics, which includes more than 500 types based on standardised regulations (ISO, UNE, ASTM, etc.), of which 119 are accredited. ITENE carries out testing services on various types of materials and packaging applications and provides support for certification in its laboratories, endorsed by the main certification bodies (ILAC-MRA, ISTA, BPI, TÜV AUSTRIA, DIN CERTCO, EUROPEAN BIOPLASTICS, COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS (REAL) and AUSTRALASIAN BIOPLASTICS (ABA) or ENAC). These tests include the characterisation of packaging materials and the analysis of their safety for food contact, as well as the evaluation of their compostability and biodegradation through the Compostability Lab by ITENE.
ITENE also stands out for its ability to carry out pilot-scale production of packaging developments, including adhesives, inks and packaging materials, in its processing and electronic printing plants. To this end, the research centre applies its knowledge of technologies such as additive synthesis and the formulation and transformation of packaging materials, which ITENE uses to improve the properties of different packaging applications.
This pilot-scale scaling up guarantees the industrialisation of new packaging developments, as these plants have conventional equipment from the packaging sector that allows different processes to be carried out, including extrusion, extrusion-blowing, injection, injection-blowing, thermoforming, lamination and printing.