How does Ecolene© Stack up to the Alternative Degradable films ?

The additives employed in Ecolene© biodegradable polyolefin shrink film work by encouraging and supporting the biota naturally present in the soil, water, and landfills to convert the base material of the plastic into a food source for the microbes.

The additives employed by Ecolene© helps natural biota to form biofilms on the
Ecolene © polyolefin films. Once these biofilms are formed, they assist in the microbial consumption and biodegradation of plastics.

What are biofilms ?

Biofilms are collections of microorganisms, surrounded by the slime they secrete, attached to either an inert or living surface. Some familiar biofilms are the plaque on your teeth, the slime on river stones, and the gel-like film on the inside of a
flower vase.

Biofils can form on just about any surface, from human and animal tissue to kitchen counters and hot tub walls. Wherever the combination of moisture, nutrients, and a surface exists, biofilms will likely be found.

Once the special biofilms, structured by contact with the Ecolene© additives, are formed, the bacteria, fungi, algae and other microbes reside within the biofilm and
Produce different acids and enzymes that are effective in breaking down the polymers to the point that the hydrocarbon components can be metabolized.

This process of breakdown will occur without the need for UV light, heat, oxygen,
or water. The population of the biofilm generate every thing they need to survive, either through direct interaction or as a byproduct of digestion ( CO2, biomass
organic matter and water).

Ecolene© can, therefore, biodegrade in any condition where other organic materials
are biodegrading.

Technology used in producing Ecolene© biodegradable polyolefin films

The additives used for producing Ecolene© polyolefin films have been tested and proven as biodegradable and safe for the environment by using the following:

ASTM D5209 “ Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Presence of Municipal Sewage Sludge”;

ISO 14855/ ASTM D5338 :Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials under Controlled Composting Conditions”; and

ASTM 5511 “Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic Digestion Conditions”.

Where will Ecolene© biodegrade ?

Home composting
Commercial composting
Landfills
Buried in, or in contact with, the soil
Erosion
Litter

Where won’t it degrade?

Warehouses
Store shelves
Offices & Home

A- In centerfold from 6″ to 42″, and in singlewound sheeting from
10″ to 65″

Q- What thicknesses are available?

A- Standard gauges are 60 (15 micron), 75 (19 micron) and 100 (25). Upon
Special Order 50 (12)

Q- Do you carry Flxtite shrink films in inventory stock?

A- Most grades of Centerfold Flxtite Polyolefin to 30” and some grades
of PVC shrink films to 20” are always in stock. All singlewound orders
are custom-produced to order.

Q- Are Flxtite shrink films environmentally friendly and recyclable?

A- Flxtite non irradiated polyolefin grade shrink films are all recyclable

Q- Are Flxtite polyolefin shrink films IRRADIATED?

A- Unlike the leading polyolefin film brands, some Flxtite films are
NON-IRRADIATED, while other grades are irradiated (cross-linked).
However, non irradiated film grades are easy to electrostatically seal,
seal at lower temperatures with quicker dwell times, and are clearer
and glossier.

Q- Are Flxtite films available printed?

A- Only in large quantities. They are not available pre-treated for others to print.

Q- What are typical lead-times for Flxtite shrink films’ delivery?

A- For polyolefin and PVC centerfolds from inventory, 24-48 hours from
order placement. For large size and non-irradiated centerfold and for
all polyolefin singlewound sheeting 2 weeks. For PVC singlewound 6
weeks. For all polyethylene shrink films 3-4 weeks.

Q-How do I contact my Regional Flxtite Sales Manager, or receive more
Flxtite information?

A- Simply submit a contact form

FLXTITE V-220 (Download Spec Sheet): A 20% balanced PVC shrink film designed for applications where low shrink percentage and low shrink tension are required. It is ideally suited for overwrap products that are easily distorted, such as textile packages, stationery, greeting cards, lightweight board, magazines, posters, etc.

FLXTITE V-440 (Download Spec Sheet): A 40% general purpose biaxially oriented PVC shrink film offering outstanding optical properties, low haze and high gloss. It offers excellent machineability and wrinkle-free shrinkage on high profile and irregular-shaped products.

FLXTITE V-520 (Download Spec Sheet): An all-purpose, 50%-20%, preferentially-oriented PVC shrink film with high cross direction shrink properties. Excellent optical properties. It offers excellent machineability on all equipment and is suitable for elongated products such as giftwrap, venetian blinds, etc.

FLXTITE V-520BB (Download Spec Sheet): A preferential shrink PVC film specifically designed for carpet and remnant belly band wrapping. Its high clarity and excellent tensile and elongation properties make it an ideal film for automatic broadloom and carpet overwrap.

FLXTITE AP-4 (Download Spec Sheet): A lower energy shrink film with higher tear resistance, broader seal range and softer formulation. It is a multi-layer, biaxially oriented polyolefin shrink film, ideal for wrapping items having need for softer shrink force and on machinery with more sensitive sealing temperature. These include papergoods, books, mechanical and electrical components. It runs well on packaging machinery which is sensitive to easier tearing films, and equipped with hot wire or “V” knives. It has excellent clarity, good shrinkage, excellent sealing and outstanding puncture resistance.

FLXTITE AP-6 (Download Spec Sheet): A lower temperature, and fast sealing, polyolefin shrink film, with quick shrink initiation properties. High elongation and tensile strength properties provide exceptional toughness, while its high shrink percentage ensures excellent product conformity. It is the ideal polyolefin shrink film for one-step machines (Dibipack, Minipack, etc.), as well as for high speed applications.

FLXTITE AP-H (Download Spec Sheet): A “Hot Slip” formulated, general purpose, multi-layer, biaxially oriented polyolefin shrink film. It combines high clarity and gloss with excellent machineability at extremely high speeds on automatic equipment. It maintains its slip characteristics immediately after shrinking. It is easily electrostatically sealed, as well.

FLXTITE AP-X (Download Spec Sheet): A cross-linked “enhanced” biaxially oriented polyolefin shrink film. Competes directly with all cross-linked and irradiated polyolefin shrink films. However, has the highest clarity and gloss properties in its class. Seals well on all sealing systems, including “mushroom” and universal knives, as well as “V” knives and hot wire. Excellent puncture resistance and elongation properties. Ideal for use on all multi-pack applications and for wrapping sharp-edged products.

FLXTITE AP-XF (Download Spec Sheet): An anti-fog formulated “ENHANCED” biaxially oriented polyolefin shrink film. Possesses excellent clarity and gloss, while successfully competing with all irradiated and cross-linked polyolefin shrink films. Retains product freshness and cleanliness. Is the ideal fim for shrink wrapping produce, meats (non-barrier requirements), pizzas and other refrigerated items.

The Flxtite AP-Z (Download Spec Sheet): grades of polyolefin shrink film are individually boxed, deli-counter-sized, and easy to tear film sheets on a roll. These extremely clear and glossy rolls are designed for shrink packaging of freshly made uncooked pizza at Supermarkets, Delicatessens, Pizzeria shops, and also for use by caterers for shrink packaging of deli trays.

Folene Packaging LLC – PO BOX 300965, Midwood, NY 11230

Phone: (917) 626-6740    Fax: (718) 253-0604

Email: info@folenepackaging.com

Please feel free to call on me for any assistance, quotations, or information you may require by filling out the form below – Edward Weiss, Managing Director

CCCC Corp. has a New Mexico plant manufacturing cotton swabs and other cotton-based consumer products, sold in retail establishments throughout the U.S. For cleanliness and retail shelf appeal, they shrink over-wrap all of their retail consumer packages in polyolefin shrink films.

CCCC Corp had been purchasing Okura’s Vanguard polyolefin shrink film, made in Japan, from a local packaging supplies distributor.  XXX Packaging’s branch in Denver, Colorado, then began soliciting the business from CCCC Corp.  Although they are a Cryovac shrink film distributor, XXX Packaging chose to go after this business with Flxtite’s AP-1 multi-layer, biaxially oriented, polyolefin shrink film. This, for two reasons. One, because they
felt that the Cryovac film would not be cost competitive against Vanguard, and they would not receive any support from Cryovac/Sealed Air. And, two, they have had an excellent working relationship with Flxtite’s local representative, who had been promoting Flxtite to them as a secondary source.

CCCC Corp. requested that XXX Packaging provide them with a roll of
18”CF X75 of Flxtite AP-1 for testing, which Flxtite promptly provided. There were absolutely no adjustments made on the either the sealing unit or the shrink tunnel. The Flxtite AP-1 was a seamless “drop-in” behind the Okura Vanguard. It performed flawlessly, and yet was clearer and glossier.

Based on the successful test, XXX Packaging received an order for a full pallet from CCCC Corp. This, too, performed flawlessly. XXX Packaging has now obtained all of CCCC Corp.’s shrink film business by using Flxtite.

WWWW Co. in  New England, is a manufacturer and distributor of greeting cards for various occasions. They had been using Bemis/Clysar HP-G IRRADIATED Polyolefin shrink film to wrap their card packages. They ran 14” Single Wind Sheeting  X 60 gauge on Shanklin HS-1 automatic wrappers, with attached Shanklin shrink tunnels.

WWW Supplies, based in Massachusetts,  is an AEP stretch film distributor, who had recently begun distributing Flxtite retail display shrink films, as well. They had been selling WWWW Co. various packaging materials and supplies, and solicited their shrink film supply, as well.

A sample roll of Flxtite’s 14”SWS X60 AP-X Cross-Linked, biaxially oriented, polyolefin shrink film was requisitioned by WWW Supplies from Flxtite’s Regional Manager.  An appointment was then made for a subsequent trial date to test the roll.

The Flxtite Regional Manager drove to WWWW Co. on the appointed day, to meet with WWW Supplies’ sales person for the joint call. Unfortunately, as things have a way of happening, the distributor sales person called to advise that he needed to cancel the appointment.  Flxtit’s Manager, however, convinced the distributor sales person that, since he was already waiting at WWWW Co., he be allowed to go in for the test by himself. Flxtite’s Manager, therefore, met with WWWW Co.’s Purchasing Manager to discuss the film and arrange for the trial run.

WWWW. Co.’s Maintenance Technician placed the roll of Flxtite AP-X on the Shanklin and began running the film WITHOUT ANY setting adjustments on the machinery. The film ran great, but the optics were CLEARLY and obviously better than that of the Clysar HP-G. When shown the packages wrapped in Flxtite compared to the packages wrapped in the Clysar, WWWW Co.’s both the Purchasing Manager and Plant Manager were truly impressed. This, because the cards that were being wrapped were very colorful and the Flxtite film enhanced their product’s appearance much more than the Clysar HP-G. In addition to the optics, the seals were MUCH STRONGER than the Clysar HP-G, as well.

After 2 hours of continuous flawless running, WWWW Co. chose Flxtite films as the their polyolefin shrink film of choice.

SSSS Farms is a packer of broccoli, located about 100 miles West of Phoenix, Arizona…literally in the boondocks. They service such chains, nationwide, as Wal-Mart, Costco, Kroger, Publix, and Dominick’s.
The stalks of broccoli are inserted into 16″CF X 60 Cryovac RD106 shrink film, on one of three Rennco Inc. model 1018 bag makers. The finished, sealed, pouches of broccoli are, then, hand-fed into Eastey Tunnels for shrinking.

The Cryovac film is currently being purchased by SSSS Farms from SSS Packaging in Phoenix. The RD106 grade was recommended by SSS Packaging because it is an anti-fog grade. As a result of the packaged broccoli being stored in supermarkets’ refrigerated sections, it was felt that the RD106 would perform best.

At the same time, CCC Systems, a large Western regional packaging distributor, has a branch in Phoenix, as well, and one of CCC Systems sales representatives has an excellent relationship with the manager of SSSS Farms, selling him various other packaging supplies.  CCC System’s salesman solicited SSSS Farms with the possibility of supplying SSSS Farms with their shrink film needs, as well. Because Flxtite’s regional representative actively promotes and sells Flxtite shrink films to CCC Systems, their sales representative called on him for assistance on the project.

Flxtite’s regional representative assessed the situation, and consulted with Edward Weiss. He determined that machinery service was never an issue, since SSSS Farms is mechanically self-reliant. In addition, if service or parts are ever required, CCC Sysems has an extensive packaging equipment service department. There was, therefore, no compelling need for SSSS Farms to continue to purchase shrink film from SSS Packaging. Regarding the replacement of Cryovac RD106, it was felt that Flxtite AP-XF would perform just as well. The reason for this is two-fold. First, the Rennco machines have perforating wheels, for the purpose of package breathability. Any possible condensation escapes through the micro perforations. Also, the AP-XF does not stress crack in, refrigerated applications.

Flxtite’s regional representative, accompanied by the CCC Systems salesman, took a roll of 16″CF X 60 AP-XF into SSSS Farms for trial and evaluation. With the exception of a slight tunnel temperature adjustment, no other changes were required for the film to run successfully. The result was that Flxtite’s packages were comparable, in properties, to the Cryovac packages, but were more cost effective in value. SSS Farms, therefore, gave CCC Systems an initial 2 pallet inaugural order for 16”CF X 60 Flxtite AP-XF shrink film.

YOU TOO CAN DO IT !