Some definitions ...
Additive : raw material added to a polymer to obtain specific characteristics.
Examples:
- Anti-block: to make opening easier
- Antistatic
- Anti-UV: alters reaction to light
- Photo-inducer: breaks down a plastic film exposed to sunlight (UV rays)
- Thermo-inducer: breaks down a film exposed to heat
- Stabilizer: counteracts the effects of other additives for a time.
Bio-assimilable : material potentially assimilable by bacteria and natural biological agents.
Biodegradable : material destroyed by bacteria and other natural biological agents.
Biomass : sum total of living matter.
Co-extrusion : extrusion process enabling a product consisting of different superimposed layers to be obtained. The result is a multi-layer film.
Compostable : a product is compostable if it can be broken down by micro-organisms (microscopic fungi or bacteria) to become humus.
Compounding : procedure involving a mix of different polymers and/or additives and producing a primary material in the form of granules with specific characteristics ready to be extruded.
Degradable : material able to break down or to be altered.
Extrusion : mechanical transformation of shaped plastic granules under the action of heat. Soft extrusion enables the production of plastic films or wraps which will then be converted to films, covers, wraps, bags or sachets.
Barrier film : term applied to a multi-layer film possessing specific properties due to the use of certain primary materials (e.g., high impermeability to gases, water, etc.).
Cling-film : a film which by exerting sufficient tension assumes the shape of the product to be packaged (used, for example, for covering pallets).
Multi-layer film : term used for a film obtained by co-extrusion. A multi-layer film can contain up to 7 or 9 layers of different plastics.
Shrinkable film : a film intended to shrink under the action of external heat (e.g.: water carton or milk carton).
Fragmentable : a plastic containing additives and able to break down into fragments.
Reel-width : width (of a film or wrap, for example).
Lamination : operation consisting of attaching a film to another substrate (usually a plastic of a different type).
Néosac® : collective brand name registered for a plastic containing additives and whose lifetime is regulated in the environment by oxodegradation.
Oxodegradable : material which degrades under the effect of oxidation (oxygen, heat, light) until it is broken down by micro-organisms. This process produces only water, carbon dioxide and biomass.
Polyethylene : the two main families of polyethylenes are High Density Polyethylene (in French PEHD or HDPE) or Low Density Polyethylene (in French PEBD or LDPE). PEBD is more branched than PEHD, meaning that the chains sit less well together. This results in a lower density, lower viscosity and faster oxodegradation. On the other hand, PEHD is more resistant with a higher average molecular mass.
Recyclable : a term applied to a material which can be technically recycled. A recyclable material is not necessarily recycled. For example, this is the case with polyethylene films or bags which are recyclable but for which there is no collection process - and hence they are not recycled!
