NatureFlex™ Sustainability
But what does it really mean in the context of flexible packaging such as NatureFlex™?
For Futamura, sustainability means evaluating every stage of the packaging lifecycle — from sourcing raw materials, to production, performance, and end-of-life.
At Futamura, we are dedicated to optimising the sustainability of all our raw materials and reducing our environmental impact, whilst maintaining the functional properties and wide range of end-of-life options for NatureFlex™.
NatureFlex™ provides tangible answers to all four key stages below:
At Futamura, sustainability is not just about our products but also about how we operate as a company. Futamura UK is committed to wider Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) including:
In support of this, Futamura UK is accredited against several international standards such as:
- ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety)
- ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System)
- ISO 9001 (Quality Management System)
- BRCGS Food Safety
Additionally, Futamura UK is pursuing ISO 50001 (Energy Management System) accreditation to further strengthen our efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of our UK operations.
Read the latest Futamura Group CSR report here
Renewability
Raw material for NatureFlex™, NatureSphere™ and Cellophane™
The principal raw material for NatureFlex™ and Cellophane™ is cellulose, a renewable raw material sourced from trees. The wood pulp used as the main raw material to manufacture our cellulose products originates from certified forests in line with our Wood Pulp Sourcing Policy,
which describes our commitment to supporting sustainable and responsible forestry through upholding the principles and standards laid down by the two main international forestry certification schemes: the FSCTM (Forest Stewardship CouncilTM) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification).
The pulp is sourced from trees grown in conditions which do not require additional irrigation and the use of herbicides, insecticides and fertilisers are low to minimise the environmental impacts.
Both our US and European operations hold FSCTM and PEFC Chain of Custody certification.
FSC™ and PEFC Chain of Custody certification
Our films have also been tested to ASTM D6866, which determines the bio-based carbon content by measuring the ratio of ‘new carbon’ to ‘fossil carbon’ contained within the material.
Futamura’s standard uncoated and coated cellulose films generally contain between 90 and 99% renewable raw materials.
Our films tested to ASTM D6866
Source: Beta Labs 14C test on NatureFlex™ 30NVR film
Test Method: ASTM D6866
The USDA BioPreferred® Programme has a number of different product categories with different minimum biobased content requirements. For packaging applications, a minimum content of 30% is required. Several NatureFlex™ grades are currently eligible to carry the USDA logo, including: NPU, NK, NKA, NKR, NKME, NVS, NVR, DNE and NE.