Carbios teams up with French manufacturer to create home-compostable solutions

FRANCE – Carbios, a leader in circular plastics, has joined forces with French shrink-sleeve label technology company Sleever to create home-compostable, biodegradable, mono-oriented transverse shrink films.

This partnership aims to revolutionize packaging with an eco-friendly solution designed for various industries, including luxury goods and mass retail.

Central to the collaboration is the “master supply agreement” for Carbios Active, an enzymatic solution developed by Carbios that enables PLA (polylactic acid) biodegradation.

This solution is integrated directly into the film production process, making PLA-rich films compostable at room temperature, enhancing their life cycle and sustainability.

Emmanuel Ladent, CEO of Carbios, emphasized the significance of this partnership, particularly in sectors like wine and spirits where Sleever is a key player.

“With Carbios Active, these packaging solutions can be composted at ambient temperatures, contributing to a more sustainable packaging industry,” Ladent stated.

The films developed through this partnership are ideal for shrink sleeves, labeling, wrapping, and securing packaging. They offer an eco-designed, biodegradable option that doesn’t rely on a dedicated recycling value chain.

Carbios Active, the encapsulated enzyme, allows for the creation of products from biopolymers that are free of toxins and microplastics and compostable in various soil conditions.

To support the production of these compostable films, Carbios has installed a production line at its Clermont-Ferrand headquarters.

The line can produce 2,500 tons of Carbios Active annually and transform 50,000 tons of PLA-based products per year.

Sleever, with over 500 patents and extensive R&D experience, is well-positioned to bring this innovation to market.

Eric Fresnel, president of Sleever Group, commented, “After more than 15 years of developing eco-designed packaging solutions, this partnership with Carbios aligns perfectly with our vision. It strengthens our ability to serve markets eager to enhance their role in the circular economy and opens up new global opportunities.”

This collaboration marks a significant step toward creating sustainable packaging solutions for industries worldwide, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to reducing environmental impact.

Last month, Carbios signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with FCC Environment UK to explore the implementation of a PET biorecycling plant in the UK, using CARBIOS’ cutting-edge enzymatic technology.

Recycling in the UK has plateaued in recent years, but the UK government’s policies support a continued shift towards a circular economy.

FCC Environment is committed to this goal, emphasizing the need for innovation and investment to drive real environmental change.

CARBIOS believes that biorecycling is a key component of achieving a circular economy through its revolutionary enzymatic depolymerization process.

FCC is keen to gain a comprehensive understanding of the advantages of using enzymes for PET treatment.

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