Israel’s TIPA (Hod Hasharon; www.tipa-corp.com) has developed biodegradable films that decompose like orange peel, yet provide the processing and functional properties required by manufactures. The company said its films are just as durable and impermeable as ordinary plastic packaging but biologically decompose in 180 days, becoming a fertiliser for soil and behaving similarly to the peel of an orange. In tests run by TIPA’s labs to simulate home composting conditions, its packaging used by UK firm Snact (London; www.snact.co.uk) decomposed in just 24 weeks.

Daphna Nissenbaum, CEO and co-founder of TIPA, said: “Flexible packages have now become one of the most popular packaging types in the world and this continues to spread due to its supreme functional properties. TIPA’s breakthrough technology combines these same supreme properties, while enabling the packages to decompose back to nature post-usage.”

In addition to wrappers for Snact, TIPA produces zip-up bags for sale in the US, as well as packaging for a variety of products from food to clothing. As of August 2016, the company had formed partnerships with four packaging manufacturers and five food brands across Europe and the US since sales were launched at the end of 2015.

TIPA’s products are available for a wide range of packaging formats and products and currently comprise standalone and printed coextruded transparent and high-transparent cast seals, which are sealable and printable on both sides and typically used for fresh produce, bakery and grain-mill items. In addition, it offers a series of transparent and non-transparent laminates for various food segments and packaging applications, including stand-up pouches, bags and pillow packs, among others.

TIPA said its vision is that flexible plastic packaging has the same end-of-life properties as organic waste, yet also offers consumers and brand owners the durability and shelf life they expect from traditional plastics. The company holds seven patents on its technology.