What is Compostable Packaging?
Compostable Packaging is any form of packaging that completely breaks-down into organic matter, without leaving harmful residues. It’s designed to decompose within a few months. either in specialist industrial composting facilities or in home composting systems. It leaves no toxic residue and transforms into fibrous humus, with the help of insects, fungal and bacterial action.
In addition to environmental performance, these materials must also meet the performance requirements of regular flexible packaging. For example they must conform to the moisture, gas and UV barrier properties of the product, as well as having minimum structural strengths, and printability. The result is a packaging solution that maintains product integrity whilst also minimising environmental impact.
What’s the difference between ‘Compostable’ & ‘Biodegradable’ Packaging?
The key difference between compostable and biodegradable material, is the period over which they decompose.
According to the North American ASTM D6400 Standard1, compostable plastics must meet a number of criteria, including a minimum of 90% disintegration within 180 days and absence of chemical residues / ecotoxicity effects. You can find more information here
The European standard (EN 13432) echoes similar requirements, emphasising the importance of environmental safety and performance1. You can find more information here
In comparison, biodegradable products degradation varies widely depending on material chemistry and environment, and there is no regulatory requirements yet with fixed global timeframe unless specific testing conditions are defined2.
To learn more about our range of Compostable Packaging please click here, or if you need further advice, get a call-back from one of our Expert Advisors, by clicking here.
The Main Types of Compostable Packaging
Compostable materials can be made from a variety of materials such as bioplastics and plant-based fibres …but what exactly are these materials, and how do they behave during composting? …are they suitable for home composting or can they only be broken down in specialist industrial facilities? …Let’s explore the most common compostable materials used in flexible packaging, unravel their technical details, their benefits, and their shortcomings.
1. Polylactic Acid (PLA)
PLA is one of the most common bioplastics used in compostable packaging. Derived from fermented plant starches (e.g. corn, sugarcane, or cassava) PLA exhibits high optical clarity and relatively high stiffness, which makes it suitable for rigid packaging, as well as thin films and pouches under controlled conditions.
Technical Note: PLA biodegrades in industrial composting conditions within approximately 90-180 days (European Bioplastics, 2019)3. However, it requires high temperatures (around 58°C or 136°F) and controlled humidity to break down efficiently. The controlled temperature and humidity requirements make PLA unsuitable for home composting.
2. Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT)
PBAT is a flexible and biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester, widely used as a blending partner with other bioplastics (like PLA) to improve flexibility, elongation, and processability of flexible packaging materials. PBAT is synthesized through the polymerisation of adipic acid, terephthalic acid, and butanediol. Its flexible chain structure allows it to stretch significantly without breaking, making it ideal for films, bags, and pouches in flexible packaging (European Bioplastics, 2019)3
Technical Note: PBAT readily biodegrades in industrial composting facilities, disintegrating within 90–180 days. Its biodegradation in home composting is less predictable due to lower temperatures and microbial activity, but it can still break-down over time.
3. Kraft Paper
Kraft paper is a strong, durable paper made from wood-pulp, that is processed via the sulfate (kraft) process. When coated or treated with biodegradable layers, it becomes an excellent packaging material.
Kraft paper’s high tensile strength and tear resistance make it suitable for wrapping, bags, and pouches. When coated with bio-based films such as PLA or other compostable coatings, it can provide moisture resistance while remaining compostable.
Uncoated Kraft Paper composts rapidly, often within 4-8 weeks.
Coated versions of Kraft Paper, with bio-based films like PLA disintegrate readily in industrial composting facilities but may take longer depending on coating thickness and conditions.
4. NK and NKME (Cellulose-Based Films)
NK and NKME are emerging bio-based materials derived from cellulose, offering high strength, transparency, and biodegradability.
NK is produced from plant cellulose via mechanical, enzymatic, or chemical treatments, resulting in nano-sized fibres with exceptional mechanical properties making it suitable for flexible packaging. They are suitable for home and industrial composting, typically composting within a few months, assuming proper microbial activity. Their behaviour depends on the degree of modification and chemical treatments that they have undergone.
The production of NKME involves metallising the cellulose film to improve water resistance and processability. Nanocellulose materials are biodegradable in both composting conditions, typically within a few months, assuming proper microbial activity. Again, just like NK their composting behaviour depends on the degree of modification and presence of chemical treatments.
Compostable Packaging: Why it’s important…
In a world increasingly conscious of environmental impact, the packaging industry stands at a crossroads. Traditional plastics, while convenient and durable, have become a significant source of pollution, and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. If current production and waste management trends continue, roughly 12 billion tonnes of plastic waste will be in landfills or in the natural environment by 2050[4].
This is why we have launched our new range of:
- SUPERGREENPAKTM Flexible Pouches
- SUPERGREENPAKTM Biodegradable Desiccants
- SUPERGREENPAKTM Compostable films
The Future of Compostable Packaging
Compostable packaging will be a significant component of Sustainable Packaging in the years ahead. Its rapid adoption in the Food, Beverage, and Personal Care sectors is testament to the rapidly increasing demand for environmentally friendly alternatives. – and where these three sectors lead, others will surely follow.
Need some samples of SUPERGREENPAK Compostable Packaging?
No problem ! 😊
Click here for a sample of our Compostable Pouches
If you would like to read more about Eco Friendly Packaging then please click here, or click on one of the options below, to get a free sample:
click here for a sample of our Recyclable Pouches
click here for a sample of our shelf-life extending Humidity Regulators
click here for a sample of our shelf-life extending Desiccants
click here for a sample of our shelf-life extending Oxygen-Level Controllers
Let us help you
If you’re interested in our SUPERGREENPAK range, and are looking to move to compostable packaging, click here to book a free consultation !
Our team has over 70 years’ worth of experience helping customers solve their packaging problems, and we’d be very happy to help you too!
Call us on +44 (0)1628 531 900 …or click here for a call-back.
What to Read Next:
– The Importance of Green Packaging
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Citations:
[1] World Centric. (2010) ASTM D 6400: TPLA Utensils Compostability Report. Palo Alto, CA: World Centric. [PDF] Available at:https://www.worldcentric.com/assets_external/files/TPLA-Utensils-ASTM6400.pdf
[2] Song JH, Murphy RJ, Narayan R, Davies GB. Biodegradable and compostable alternatives to conventional plastics. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2009 Jul 27;364(1526):2127-39. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2008.0289. PMID: 19528060; PMCID: PMC2873018.
[3] European Bioplastics. (2019). Bioplastics Market Data. Available at: https://www.european-bioplastics.org/market/
[4] Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., & Law, K. L. (2017). Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Science Advances, 3(7), e1700782. Available at: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/7/e1700782
[5] Liu, Y., et al. (2021). Nanocellulose-based packaging materials: recent advances and future prospects. Nano Today, 38, 101134. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2452223621000687
[6] Ragauskas, A.J., et al. (2004). Lignocellulosic biofuels: opportunities and challenges. Bioresource Technology, 99(13), pp. 5612–5619. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385894724049891
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