Daubert Cromwell recently introduced corrosion inhibitor films that are said to biodegrade over time in landfills without leaving behind microplastics.
ALSIP, Ill.—Daubert Cromwell, a manufacturer of volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) packaging, recently introduced what it called “the first and only 100 percent biodegradable and 100 percent recyclable, corrosion-inhibiting films designed for real-world environmental conditions.”
The Daubert VCI Films with BioNatur® are reported to biodegrade over time (within 8-12 years) in landfill environments, breaking down into soil, gases, and water without leaving behind microplastics. They are also fully recyclable with standard polyethylene materials, offering manufacturers cost-effective, sustainable packaging that doesn’t sacrifice performance, the company stated in a release.
According to Daubert Cromwell, the films represent a major step forward in sustainable packaging, offering manufacturers and shippers a high-performance, eco-conscious alternative to traditional polyethylene (PE) films, which can take hundreds of years to decompose.
“We’re excited to offer a game-changing solution that supports our customers’ sustainability goals without compromising product performance,” said Martin Simpson, president and CEO at Daubert Cromwell, in a statement. “With BioNatur®, we’re helping reduce the long-term environmental impact of corrosion protection packaging.”
Daubert VCI Films with BioNatur can be recycled with other polyethylene products “with no restrictions or separation required,” according to the release. No special composting is required, as they are said to biodegrade naturally in anaerobic (oxygen-deprived) conditions that exist in a landfill, where bacteria will digest it.
With the aid of proprietary BioNatur additives, Daubert’s polyethylene films are transformed into a digestible food source for microbes found in landfills. The microbes are reported to “break the plastic down completely—unlike oxo-degradable plastics, which only fragment into microplastics,” the company stated in the release.
“Side-by-side testing confirmed that our BioNatur® films deliver the same physical strength and corrosion protection as our conventional VCI films,” said Daubert Cromwell Vice President of Technology Jonathan Brekan, Ph.D., in the release. “It’s a solution that performs where it matters—on the job and in the environment.”
With the launch of these films, Daubert Cromwell stated in the release that it is empowering industries to make more environmentally responsible packaging decisions without compromising quality or effectiveness. Whether used VCI Films or bags are sent to a landfill or sent for recycling, users can be confident they are doing the right thing for the environment, the company said.
“Our new biodegradable VCI films help companies meet sustainability targets with low environmental impact and high recyclability—all without sacrificing performance,” stated Simpson. “We’re proud to introduce a product that is good for the environment and advances the protective packaging industry.”