Quality Street Wrappers

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Tuesday, November 11, 2008 by Innovia Films

Quality Street Wrappers Go Compostable with New Natureflex Coloured Film

Innovia Films’ renewable and compostable packaging film, NatureFlex™ has been chosen by Nestlé UK to wrap one of its signature confectionery brands: Quality Street.

Having supplied Nestlé UK for many years with its coloured Cellophane™ products, Innovia Films was keen to meet customer demand when a move towards compostable packaging was sought for Quality Street. Nestlé UK approached Innovia Films to develop a range of certified compostable films to match, as closely as possible, the existing range of coloured Cellophane films.

The move is part of Nestlé’s overall strategy to reduce packaging and develop more sustainable packaging materials, making it easier for consumers to reduce waste.

“Reduced, or more sustainable packaging, is a key priority for Nestlé and we are delighted that the NatureFlex colour-film range will help Quality Street customers and consumers reduce waste and at the same time ensure consumers are still able to recognise this well-loved brand,” said David Rennie, marketing director, Nestlé Confectionery UK.

The development of coloured NatureFlex is the direct result of work carried out at Innovia Films’ own research and development facility. It follows 18 months of development and testing prior to the re-launch of the Quality Street packaging, which took place recently in time for the pre-Christmas sales window.

NatureFlex was an obvious solution for the packaging as the film begins life as a natural product – wood - and breaks down in a home compost bin (or industrial compost environment) within a matter of weeks. It also offers advantages for packing and converting, such as: inherent dead-fold and anti-static properties, high gloss and transparency, resistance to grease and oil, good barrier to gases and aromas and a wide heat-seal range.

NatureFlex films are cellulose-based, derived from renewable wood-pulp and are certified to meet both the European EN13432 and American ASTM D6400 standards for compostable packaging. The wood-pulp is sourced from managed plantations from referenced suppliers operating good forestry principals (FSC or equivalent). NatureFlex films typically have a renewable bio-based content of some 95% by weight of material.

“Developing a range of coloured films which so closely match the requirements of such a recognised brand and that meet the strict requirements of the composting legislation was a real challenge, which we are delighted to have been able to deliver,” said Andy Sweetman, Innovia Films’ global marketing manager, sustainable technologies.

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