Alcan Packaging has developed and launched from its Dublin plant, Europe’s first fully compostable printed laminate packaging on behalf of UK based cereal manufacturer Jordans Cereals. The bio-based films, as well as the inks and adhesives used in their conversion, have been certified by Dincertco (DIN EN 13432), the European Union regulatory body for environmentally friendly packaging, as fully compostable.

Following three years of research, Alcan Packaging has developed an environmentally friendly alternative to polypropylene structures and laminated metallised plastic films. The packaging developed and manufactured by Alcan Packaging Dublin, is made using two different certified compostable films.  The outer layer is cellulose derived from GM-free wood pulp and the inner layer is derived from GM-free cornstarch.

The finished pack, produced for Jordans Cereals UK, provides the same look and feel as a heavy weight plastic film alternative, with a glossy, printable surface and a tactile finish.  The pack is fully compostable and suitable for degrading on a home compost heap.

The packaging solution is currently being used to package Jordans new look Organics range.

Rachel Kerr, Jordans, says: “This laminate is ideal for food packaging as it offers both on-shelf appeal and barrier properties, ensuring product protection and integrity as well as food freshness and preservation.  This is an exciting development and will go some way to addressing the current concerns around packaging and its disposal.  We look forward to seeing what the future holds.”

Alcan Packaging - Food Europe is the European leader in flexible packaging for the food and beverages market. Alcan Packaging - Food Europe registered sales of $US2.1 billion in 2006. It operates 31 plants in 18 countries and employs 7,500 people.

Alcan Packaging is a world leader in value-added specialty packaging ranking No. 1 in flexible food, pharmaceutical, beauty and tobacco packaging, and delivering innovative solutions using plastics, engineered film, aluminium, paper, paperboard and glass to customers around the world. Chaired by Ilene Gordon, President & CEO, Alcan Packaging is headquartered in Paris, France, with 130 facilities and 31,000 employees in 31 countries, it generates US$6 billion revenues.