Cortec advances biodegradable packaging options as global auto manufacturer runs pilot tests on shipping performance.
The Czech subsidiary of one of the world’s three largest car manufacturers, began looking for a biodegradable packaging substitute to reduce the amount of conventional plastic packaging they use.
As global companies are becoming more environmentally responsible and supporting a circular economy, the car manufacturer decided to test Cortec’s Eco-Corr Film® as part of their new “green” logistics project aimed at decreasing plastic consumption. “Green” packaging alternative Eco-Corr Film® is used for transport of automotive engines from their manufacturing facilities in the Czech Republic to
India where the film is then composted. Consumption and disposal of plastics is unfortunately one of the biggest ecological problems globally. Cortec® Corporation, leader in corrosion protection solutions, has dedicated years of its research to develop “green,” sustainable alternatives to conventional polyethylene films. One of its pioneer solutions is Eco-Corr Film®, a biodegradable corrosion inhibiting film that contains Cortec’s proprietary VpCI® Technology and provides excellent contact, barrier, and vapor-phase corrosion protection for ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Eco-Corr Film® will disintegrate within months in a commercial composting environment. The exact time for films to biodegrade is dependent upon the conditions and activity of the disposal environment (temperature, soil quality, activity of microorganisms). The film is shelf stable and will not break down prematurely until disposed of in a proper composting environment. It is compostable and compliant to ASTM D6400.
As part of pilot project, the car manufacturer tested Eco-Corr Films® while packaging car parts for shipment to their plant in Pune, India. Several tests were conducted for compliance with strict conditions for transport in sea containers. Quality control did not show any damage or traces of corrosion of the components being wrapped in Eco-Corr Film® upon arrival in India. In order to test if the film were able to be composted according to plan, the staff built compost bins near the plant.
After six months, the foils had largely biodegraded in the compost bins, helping them to eliminate plastic waste. Eco-Corr Film® successfully replaces conventional plastic films previously used by this car manufacturer and provides the same effective corrosion protection. Organic packaging material is composted at a plant in Pune, India, and used as a soil improver in a logistics park.
Among other things, the resulting compost is intended for use as fertilizer on the trees in the logistics park in front of the Pune plant, where, starting in March 2019, visitors and employees have had the opportunity to plant trees in order to rejuvenate the weedy area into a park. The successful trial opens the door for the customer to cut their amount of conventional plastic packaging in half for shipments to Pune, thus eliminating a significant amount of plastic waste (as much as 500 kg [1102 lbs] per month).
In July 2020, the company launched a one-year pilot project to investigate the use of Eco-Corr Film® on a large scale. If successful, the pilot will position Cortec as a player in advances of biodegradable packaging options.
