With the increasing cost of petroleum-based raw materials, food-packaging managers are showing interest in plastics derived from sustainable sources.

This reduces dependence on oil-based products and brings them in line with environmental legislation, Paperfeel's new Ecofeel range of compostable and biodegradable films is generating enquiries from right across the food industry.

The Ecofeel range includes both biodegradable and compostable films made from renewable non-GM resources such as maize and sugar beet that are designed to breakdown under composting conditions.

Each application is different and so are the technical issues, but the benefit of Paperfeel's approach is that film can be made to meet the client's needs for strength, clarity and cost.

Paperfeel produces blown polyethylene, and is able to vary the formulation of the film to meet exact specifications for each application. For example, by reducing density the customer gets more meters of film for the ton.

Additionally biodegradable film attracts a comparable tax to paper, which is less than for plastic.

Additionally, Paperfeel also makes a proprietary three-layered polyethylene film, which offers the print and fold qualities of paper with the water resistance and durability of plastic. This can also be made as biodegradable film.