Industry Applications
Tea & Coffee
Pharma
Rice
Granola
Flours Packaging
Spices
Salt
Fertilizer & Seeds
Chocolate
Pet Food
Sugar
Snacks
Glossy Finish
Printing Technology:
Matt Finish
Printing Technology:
Matt – Glossy Finish
Printing Technology:
Static Printing
Printing Technology:
Industrial Compostable
Biodegrades under industrial composting conditions into organic biomass
Home Compostable
Biodegrades under home composting conditions into organic biomass
Fossil fuel reduction
Reduces the amount of virgin fossil fuel content
Renewable materials
Made from regenerative materials grown on responsibly-managed plantations
Nontoxic Inks
Water or biobased inks than do not require petroleum-based solvents
ABA Home Compost
Australian standard that certifies plastic to be 90% biodegradable at 20-30°C, within 180 days
ABA Industrial
Australian standard that certifies plastic to be 90% biodegradable at 60°C or higher, within 180 days
OK Compost Home
Certifies material is compostable in a home compost
OK Compost Industrial
Certifies a material is compostable is an industrial compost facility
How long does it take to compost or biodegrade?
The time it takes a product to biodegrade depends on the conditions of the composting environment. Industrial or commercial compost facilities run at higher temperatures and certification protocol requires materials to biodegrade within six months. Home composts are more variable and depend on external factors such as temperature, humidity and how often they’re turned. Home compost certification requires materials to biodegrade within 12 months at a temperature around 30°C. For more information check out our certifications page.
Does compostable packaging have a shelf-life?
Unlike most plastics, compostable materials are designed to have a shelf-life. They won’t spontaneously start composting on the shelf or in your warehouse, but over time compostable polymers weaken and things such as sealing & lamination strength start to deteriorate. In general we give our compostable materials 18 months shelf-life before this starts occurring. However, this is influenced by atmospheric conditions such as heat and humidity; in hot and humid climates this shelf life is reduced. We recommend storing all compostable materials in dry climate controlled conditions as best practice to ensure a prolonged shelf-life.
Are these materials certified compostable?
All of Swisspac’s compostable films and laminates are certified compostable, including any valves and zippers. For further information please visit our Certifications page.
Do your compostable materials leave any micro-plastics behind after biodegrading?
No they don’t. Our materials are certified compostable which means that they’ve passed thorough biodegradation testing to ensure they completely biodegrade into healthy organic matter.
Are your compostable and bio-based recyclable products plastic free?
This is a great question and the answer is nuanced. They don’t contain plastic as most people know it but they are made from bioplastic, which is technically a type of plastic. Swisspac has a range of bioplastics that are made using our compostable Plantmade™ technology.
Can compostable products and materials be recycled?
Compostable materials are designed to be composted and unfortunately that means they cannot be mechanically recycled. Although commercial composting systems are not currently widely available on a kerbside basis this is changing rapidly and so too is the rate of home composting. For further reading please see our blog post on Composting vs Recycling.
Can compostable packaging hold liquids and oils?
Generally speaking, compostable materials are not compatible with wet or oily products over a long period. In certain applications they can work for products with short shelf-life requirements (~4-6 weeks).
Are your vacuum pouches suitable for sous vide?
Yes, our Plantmade™ vacuum pouches are suitable for sous vide cooking. Biovac™ recyclable pouches can be used at temperatures up to 80C or 175F. Comvac™ compostable pouches can be used at temperatures up to 70C or 160F.
Will your vacuum pouches work on my equipment?
Our vacuum pouches are designed to be used on commercial in-chamber vacuum sealers. They are not suitable for out of chamber machines.
What products are your vacuum pouches and films suitable for?
Our vacuum pouches have a high barrier to both oxygen and moisture, and are able to be used in place of conventional vacuum packaging for most food products.
How do I compost your products?
Composting is an essential part of a functioning circular economy. We’ve broken down all the basics in our How to Compost blog post.
Do you offer wholesale or bulk volume discounts?
Yes, for stock orders above 2000 units, we offer volume discounts. Please get in touch via the enquiry form to speak to one of our Account Managers.
How long does shipping take for online orders?
Online orders are typically despatched within 24 hours. Depending on the shipping method (courier or bulk freight depending on the size of your order) this can take anywhere from 1-3 days from despatch.