USA - Part of the packaging for a new range of all natural, organic dog biscuits produced in the USA now uses a biodegradable and compostable flexible material, NatureFlex, from Innovia Films.

Based in Stockton Springs, Maine, Barkwheats Dog Biscuits was founded in November 2007 by Chris Roberts. He decided to make not only tasty hand crafted organic treats for dogs, but ones which used locally sourced ingredients, offered a solution to the waste stream created by purchasing those treats and was also suitable for humans to consume.

NatureFlex was an ideal choice for the packaging as the film begins life as a natural product – wood and breaks down in a home compost bin (or industrial compost environment) within a matter of weeks – yet also offers advantages for packing and converting such as inherent deadfold and anti-static properties, high gloss and transparency, resistance to grease and oil, good barrier to gases and aromas and a wide heat-seal range. In this application, NatureFlex NE film is converted into liner bags by Pak Sel of Portland, Oregon.

Outlining why Barkwheats selected NatureFlex, Chris said: “The major reason I chose products offered by Innovia Films is the compostability aspect. I needed a bag to package my dog biscuits that offered great heat sealing capabilities, was inexpensive, and compostable. Not an easy thing to accomplish, but Innovia did that all.

“The fact that NatureFlex carries a compostability certification is an enormous advantage. Our company was founded on principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship. Innovia has helped us attain all of our goals and keep it within a price point that is easily accessible to any business, large or small.”

Barkwheats Dog Biscuits are available in two tasty flavours – Sea Veg & Chamomile and Ginger & Parsley. Up to 97% of the ingredients are Maine sourced human grade organic – buckwheat, parsley, sea veg, eggs and honey. The company is also allergy aware as its products are grain-free and contain no soy, corn or gluten.

All NatureFlex films are cellulose based, derived from renewable wood pulp and are certified to meet both the European EN13432 and American ASTM D6400 standards for compostable packaging. The wood-pulp is sourced from managed plantations from referenced suppliers operating Good Forestry principals (FSC or equivalent). NatureFlex films typically have a renewable biobased content of some 95% by weight of material.

Innovia Films Ltd, is a major producer of Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) and cellulose (Cellophane) films with production sites in the UK (based at Wigton in Cumbria), USA, Belgium and Australia.

It holds a leading global position in the markets for labels and security films, coated packaging, overwrap and biodegradable and compostable films under the brand-name NatureFlex, employing some 1,400 people worldwide (900 staff are based at Wigton in Cumbria).