Reverte^TM technology for Flexible Packaging

Reverte^TM technology for Flexible Packaging

On 16th January 2014 Wells Plastics Ltd organised a presentation evening at Claridges Hotel in New Delhi to launch their Reverte^TMoxo-biodegradable technology for Flexible Packaging. The event was attended by a select group of senior professionals from the flexible packaging industry, and FMCG producers from around India. It is generally agreed that plastics based flexible packaging is the optimum packaging for many food and non-food products alike. Currently however, all of these films are non-biodegradable and non-recyclable, and therefore careless disposal of this packaging creates litter, which can last for many years in the open environment. With a growth rate exceeding 15% per annum, India is the fastest growing market for flexible packaging consumption, and since the bulk of flexible packaging used in India contains PET films, Wells decided to develop Reverte™ oxo-biodegradable technology for this material and application.

Following a three year development programme, a new grade of Reverte^TM has been successfully formulated, and tested to internationally recognised standards at independent laboratories, demonstrating the oxo-biodegradation of PET film. Wells are the only company in the world to offer an oxo-biodegradable additive formulated specifically for PET films and have unrivalled supporting data on its performance and functionality. Further testing of flexible packaging comprising of PET, MET PET as well as BOPP, MET BOPP films laminated to PE, each film layer containing Reverte^TM additive, has been conducted successfully to prove that the shelf life of the products were not compromised. The event attracted interest from most of the polyester film manufacturers and major flexible packaging producers in India, together with executives from major FMCG companies whose products are packaged and sold in these types of packaging. John James, Export Manager at Wells, who along with Technical Manager, Dr. Gary Odgen made the presentation in New Delhi said “now that Reverte^TM can be used to oxo-biodegrade PET film this opens up the possibility to use the technology in many of the laminated film structures used in flexible packaging, and we are beginning to see significant commercial interest in this opportunity from brand owners”. Wells will be following up this interest during the coming months and expect the first FMCG products to make use of this new grade of Reverte^TM to be introduced into the Indian market later this year.