Innovia Films has gained CarbonNeutral certification for its full range of cellulose-based NatureFlex coated biodegradable and compostable packaging films.

The certification has been achieved following an independent assessment of the CO2 emissions produced in the manufacture of coated NatureFlex products and then a reduction of this to net zero through carbon offsetting. The carbon offset projects were specifically chosen as they support the development of anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities in the Netherlands, which reduces methane emissions and displaces fossil fuels used to heat local buildings.

“The fit with this type of project is perfect as NatureFlex is suitable for disposal using emerging ‘waste to energy’ techniques such as AD, aiding the diversion of organic wastes from landfill,” says Andy Sweetman, Innovia Films’ business development & sustainability manager.

AD is the process where plant and animal material (biomass) is converted into useful products by micro-organisms in the absence of air. Dr John Williams, polymers and materials manager from the NNFCC states, “Filmic food packaging is notoriously difficult to segregate and recycle economically. However, make that packaging from a biopolymer and it can go into a digester along with the food waste, simplifying waste disposal for consumers, diverting biodegradable waste from landfill and providing renewable low carbon energy.”