Bio-based films

"Biofilm" has emerged as a generic term for films that have environmentally friendly properties and/or are made from renewable raw materials.

However, the definition of film properties must be carefully considered and differentiated. A compostable film does not necessarily have to be made from renewable raw materials. And a biofilm does not necessarily have to be compostable. There are 2 main characteristics of bioplastics that should be considered:

• Compostability - A film may be called compostable if it meets DIN 13432. Then it may be labelled with the symbol "sprouting".
• Renewable raw materials as the main component of the film (raw material source or polymer designation).

There are essentially 3 bio-based plastic types on the market: 

•     Starch-based
•     Polylactic acid (PLA)
•     Cellulose

In the future, polyhydroxy fatty acid could possibly be another type on the market.

Some bio-films can combine two or three properties, others only one. As in petroleum-based plastics processing, the renewable raw materials are processed with the addition of synthetic additives in so-called blends. This is necessary to ensure the production and processing as well as certain properties.

In no case should one be surprised when a compostable film is advertised as "organic" whose raw materials are obtained from petroleum...