The company has switched to Innovia's NatureFlex for its Senta tampons, sold throughout Europe, for "ecological reasons". As the NatureFlex N30 degrades in water within 24 days [in tests by Belgian certified testing laboratory Organic Waste Services], the packaging can be placed straight in the WC.
The film is made from wood pulp and, Innovia says, is one of only a handful of packaging materials which fulfils the criteria of the demanding Miti [Ministry of International Trade in Japan] test [ISO 14851] for ambient aqueous biodegradation.
Innovia is now talking to several other tampon manufacturers.
Andy Sweetman, market development manager, Sustainable Technologies, adds: "NatureFlex offers the advantage of complete biodegradation and performs extremely well on high speed packing lines."
"Very glossy" and transparent and with natural deadfold properties, NatureFlex films have an extremely wide heat sealing range, from 70-200°C, for improved line speeds with no loss of performance. N30 is coated on both sides with a high moisture barrier sealant layer.
