Innovia Films gained
CarbonNeutral® accreditation for its full range of cellulose-based NatureFlex™ coated biodegradable and compostable packaging films. This has been achieved following an independent assessment of the CO2 emissions produced in the manufacture of coated NatureFlex™ products.
The move to CarbonNeutral® allows Innovia Films to support the development of anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities at five farms in the Netherlands. The scheme reduces methane emissions to the atmosphere and displaces fossil fuels used to heat local buildings.
The fit between this type of project and NatureFlex™ is perfect as NatureFlex™ is suitable for disposal using emerging 'waste to energy' techniques such as AD, aiding the diversion of organic wastes from landfill.
The potential for AD is enormous. Dr Williams, Polymers and Materials Manager from the NNFCC stated:
"
The UK produces over 100 million tonnes of organic material suitable for treatment by AD. If this material managed to find its way into digesters we could produce 10-20 TWh of heat and power per year by 2020. The UK now has a Renewable Energy Strategy for the delivery of 15% renewable energy by 2020, and with government backing the technology, AD promises to contribute significantly to our renewable energy demands."