Ecolene® Biodegradable Shrink Wrap Overview

Film Overview

Ecolene® biodegradable polyolefin shrink film is a unique environmentally friendly packaging film that utilizes the environment to return to the environment. Because Ecolene® simply supports a naturally occurring breakdown process, it can biodegrade in nearly any disposal condition without special handling requirements- no light, heat, or stress required. Unlike some competing eco-friendly films, Ecolene® retains the same performance properties as regular polyolefin shrink film and does not begin to degrade until disposal. Ecolene® is also cost-effective and an excellent choice for eco-conscious brands packaging products across industries.

Ecolene® Shrink Film Properties

  • Breaks down entirely in 9 months to 5 years
  • Biodegrades wherever disposed
  • Fully recyclable
  • No special handling is required
  • Does not contain heavy metals
  • Maintains the same performance properties as regular polyolefin shrink films
  • Available in the exact sizes, gauges, and roll lengths as regular POF films
  • Cost-effective

Industry Applications

  • Perfect for eco-conscious brands packaging products across industries. Consumers care about the environment, and choosing to package with biodegradable packaging film can enhance your brand’s reputation and positively affect sales.

Equipment Compatibility

Ecolene® biodegradable film can only run on machines equipped with hot wire or “V” knife sealing systems.

Compatible with

  • Manual equipment
  • Semi-automatic equipment
  • high-speed automatic packaging machinery


As long as the machinery is equipped with a hot wire or “V” knife sealing system.

Incompatible with mushroom blade sealing systems.

How Does Ecolene® Film Biodegrade?

Ecolene® technology encourages the microbes naturally present in water, soil, and landfills to convert the base material of the biodegradable plastic into a food source. The additives used in Ecolene® film help natural microorganisms form biofilms on the Ecolene® polyolefin films, which then aid in the microbial consumption and biodegradation of plastics. Unlike some competing brands, Ecolene® breaks down fully into the environment as biomass and humus instead of tiny plastic particles, making it truly environmentally friendly.

How Does Ecolene® Compare with Competing Degradable Films?

Ecolene Oxo Degrader PLA Bioplastics
FOR BIODEGRADATION
100% Biodegradable in landfill, as litter or backyard compost, and in water TRUE FALSE FALSE
FOR RECYCLING
100% Recyclable at an time TRUE FALSE FALSE
Compatible with the recycle stream TRUE FALSE FALSE
FOR PROPERTIES
No Special storage conditions required TRUE FALSE FALSE
Shelf life is same as standard polyolefin film TRUE FALSE FALSE
Not degraded by exposure to light,heat or stress during storage, shipping, handling or use TRUE FALSE FALSE
Does not fragment during degradation TRUE FALSE TRUE
Degradation does not begin before disposal TRUE FALSE FALSE
FOR PERFORMANCE
Physical properties are unchanged from standard polyolefin film TRUE FALSE FALSE
UV or anti-oxidant additives are needed, inhibiting product performance FALSE TRUE FALSE
Performance not negatively affected by overloading TRUE FALSE N/A
FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
No Heavy Metals, Ecologically Safe TRUE FALSE TRUE
Degraded product returns to environment as biomass and humus, not as small plastic particles TRUE FALSE TRUE
FOR THE BOTTOM LINE
Cost Effective TRUE FALSE FALSE

FAQs about Ecolene® Biodegradable Film

Yes. The additives utilized in the production of Ecolene® polyolefin films have undergone the following standard testing to confirm their biodegradability and environmental safety:

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

Yes, Ecolene® film is fully recyclable at any point in time.

Since Ecolene® relies on biofilms to naturally biodegrade, it can biodegrade in any environment that other organisms are biodegrading, including:

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

No. Unlike competing biodegradable films, Ecolene® maintains the same performance properties as regular polyolefin shrink film. As such, it will not degrade in:

  • Warehouses
  • Store shelves
  • Offices
  • Homes

Ecolene® only begins the degradation process upon disposal.

Biofilms are groups of tiny organisms surrounded by a slimy substance that sticks to surfaces. They can form on any surface with moisture, nutrients, and a surface. Some examples of biofilms include plaque on teeth, slime on river stones, and the film inside a flower vase. When certain biofilms form through contact with Ecolene® additives, the microorganisms within them produce acids and enzymes that break down polymers, the building blocks of plastic, and use them as a food source for the biofilm. This breakdown happens without UV light, heat, oxygen, or water. The biofilm population produces everything it needs to survive through direct interaction or as a byproduct of digestion. This means that Ecolene® can break down in any conditions where other organic materials are also breaking down.

Do you have more questions about Ecolene®’s biodegradable film? Contact us, and we’ll be happy to answer them.

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