SubscribeANL Plastics now offers an exciting range of biomaterials
Since the end of the last century, ANL Plastics has been evaluating and testing a range of biomaterials and in 2005 the company started to produce trays with these films. ANL Plastics offers, as a first in the sector, a variety of biomaterials for the packaging industry. With the growing demand for biodegradable materials from retailers, ANL Plastics can offer a range of options to its customers.
Several bio-plastics are available, made of potato, wheat or corn starch. Each of these materials has its own specific qualities: water resistant, soluble in water, industrially compostable or in your own garden, transparent or coloured ...
ANL plastics can offer, as a first in the sector, PLA, plantic and ANL BIO A materials. Based on the customer's product requirements, the ANL engineering team will work alongside the customer to select the right raw material for each application.
These three biomaterials conform to the bio degradability norm EN1304-32 and most of the materials are suitable for food. In addition to the obligatory tests for these materials ANL Plastics has conducted additional testing, particularly in relation to product taint to ensure these materials are suitable for use.
"The biomaterials will mostly be applied to blister packing and trays for the chocolate and biscuit industry because of the restricted temperature range" says ANL Plastics' R & D manager Laurent Vanmechelen.
As an integrated company ANL plastics is able to extrude the bio foils itself and using the knowledge and expertise within the company, the range of thermoforming machines can easily be adjusted to produce trays from these bio materials.
The first applications already exist in the market with several chocolate and biscuit manufacturers having approved the use of the bio trays and are now using them daily. Specific applications also exist in the non-food sector. For example, tulip bulbs can be planted without taking them out of their biodegradable tray.
About ANL Plastics
ANL Plastics develops and produces tailor-made thermoformed plastic packaging. Founded in 1938 by the Neven family, the company has now become a major European trendsetter in its sector. The company produces over 2 billion pieces of thermoformed packaging annually and achieves a turnover of over 60 million euro.
The headquarters, which also house the main production facility, are located in Wellen - Belgium. In addition, ANL Plastics has a production facility in Cahors - France. ANL Plastics has years of experience in industrial food packaging. Its original development took place in the biscuit and chocolate market segment, which provided the stepping-stone for further expansion into other applications. The ANL Techniforms division produces industrial and consumer packaging.
You can find more information at www.anl-plastics.be