FAQ
Welcome! Here you’ll find answers to common questions about Futamura’s flexible packaging films, NatureFlex™ and Cellophane™.
General Questions
Which products can be packaged in compostable material?
Bio-based materials are made as a whole or in part from biological (plant or animal) sources. This relates to the origin of the material, not whether it will biodegrade or compost.
How do I dispose of compostable packaging?
Compostable films are used for a broad range of foods (snacks, baked goods, coffee), personal care, and household products. In addition to these categories, our films support many more applications across various industries, including innovative uses like compostable packaging solutions for specialty sectors. The right film depends on the product’s needs for moisture, oxygen protection, and shelf-life. We are constantly exploring and discovering new ways to utilise our films to meet evolving market demands and environmental goals.
Are Futamura’s packaging films safe for food?
Check your packaging for a compostable certification logo.
- If labelled for home composting, place it in a home compost bin.
- If labelled for industrial composting, use commercial composting facilities if available in your area.
- If your package combines compostable and non-compostable materials, follow local disposal guidelines. If separation isn’t possible, dispose of the item in the landfill.
Consult local guidelines, as composting options can vary by region.
NatureFlex™ FAQs
What is NatureFlex™ made from?
NatureFlex™ films are made from wood pulp sourced from responsibly managed plantations. Generally, NatureFlex™ films contain more than 90% bio-based material. according to ASTM D6866.
Is NatureFlex™ biodegradable or compostable?
NatureFlex™ is both biodegradable and certified compostable for both home and industrial composting according to EN13432, ASTM D6400, OK Compost, and Din Certco. Note: Biodegradation is only one element required for compostability certification
Can NatureFlex™ be recycled?
NatureFlex™ is currently not accepted in traditional plastic recycling streams, as it is designed specifically for composting rather than mechanical recycling. However, ongoing research is being done to explore new recycling options and alternative waste management processes for NatureFlex™.
For the latest updates or opportunities regarding NatureFlex™ recycling, please contact us directly so we can provide you with the most current information.
Where is NatureFlex™ used?
NatureFlex™ films are used across an extensive and diverse range of industries and products due to their versatility and performance. While they are widely known for food packaging, such as bakery goods, snacks, coffee, teas, and fresh produce, they are also ideal for personal care items, household products, office supplies, and even medical and industrial applications. Their barrier properties, clarity, and compostability make them suitable for everything from sachets, stick packs, and labelling to laminations and wrapping for both retail and service sectors.
To explore the full breadth of how NatureFlex™ can be used, please refer to the Applications and Markets pages linked on our website, or contact us for a tailored solution.
Does NatureFlex™ provide comprehensive protection for my product, including moisture, oxygen, oil, aroma barriers, and heat resistance?
NatureFlex™ films deliver robust protection for your product by providing high-performance barriers against oxygen, moisture, oils, and aromas, helping to preserve freshness and extend shelf-life. The lacquers and film formulations provide varying levels of moisture and gas barrier to suit different packaging requirements. NatureFlex™ is also heat resistant and offers dependable heat-seal performance, ensuring package integrity across a variety of applications and packaging processes.
In summary, NatureFlex™ combines superior moisture, oxygen, oil, and aroma barriers with strong heat resistance and sealability, providing comprehensive product protection for food and non-food items alike.
What will my NatureFlex™ packaging look like?
NatureFlex™ is known for its clarity, gloss, and print quality. Matt, metallised, and coloured versions are available.
Will NatureFlex™ packaging spoil, or start to degrade, if I store it at home?
NatureFlex™ films are very stable and will not biodegrade or show any loss in mechanical properties on the shelf. Biodegradation will only be initiated in an environment where micro-organisms are present e.g. soil, compost, or wastewater.
Does NatureFlex™ compostable packaging have an expiration date?
We recommend that NatureFlex™ films are used within 6 months of the delivery date to ensure optimum conversion performance. This is a standard time period as recommended by other bio film and conventional plastic suppliers.
Shelf-life tests should be carried out by the customer to determine the optimum shelf-life of the packaged product. This will vary depending on the product requirements. However, NatureFlex™ films have successfully been used to package products which have a shelf-life of up to and even beyond 3 years.
Please refer to the Storage and Handling Guide for recommendations.
For the latest updates or opportunities regarding NatureFlex™ recycling, please contact us directly so we can provide you with the most current information.
Cellophane™ FAQs
What is Cellophane™ made from?
Cellophane™ is made from regenerated cellulose, derived from wood pulp sourced from responsibly managed plantations.
Is Cellophane™ the same as plastic flexible film?
No. Cellophane™ is plant-based while typical plastic film is made from petroleum-derived polymers.
Can I recycle Cellophane™?
No, Cellophane™ is not accepted in most curbside recycling programs. However, it will biodegrade over time.
For the latest updates or opportunities regarding NatureFlex™ recycling, please contact us directly so we can provide you with the most current information.
What is Cellophane™ used for?
Used for packaging foods, gifts, pharmaceuticals, confectionary, and a wide variety of other items where clarity and barrier properties are essential. Our films are versatile and continually find new applications across different industries, as we innovate to meet diverse packaging needs and enhance product protection. Please refer to our Applications and Markets pages for more information.
What are the key technical properties of Cellophane™ films?
Cellophane™ films offer excellent transparency, gloss, and inherent anti-static properties. Plain Cellophane™ is semi-permeable to moisture. Lacquered versions provide improved moisture barrier properties. They provide good barriers to gases and aromas, making them ideal for breathable packaging applications. Some grades are heat-sealable and resistant to oils and greases. Cellophane™ films also exhibit excellent dead-fold characteristics and are easy to tear, making them versatile for uses ranging from food packaging to industrial and technical applications.