Materials Lab

Data first. Claims second.

Four material families. Every one with its limits printed next to its claims. Real OTR, WVTR, and layer-structure data — not marketing adjectives.

Certified Compostable

Certified Compostable

Kraft/PLA and cellulose builds that return to soil within 180 days.

Verified Claims
  • Seed logo (EN 13432 / AS 4736) for industrial composting
  • AS 5810 + TUV OK Compost HOME for home-compostable structures
  • Barrier caps at ~70% of aluminium foil
  • 60-150 um total thickness across duplex to quad structures
  • OTR 1-15 cc/m2/day — depends whether a high-barrier coating and/or metallisation is added
Limits
  • -Shelf life 12+ months on a high-barrier build — foil still reaches 18-24 months
  • -High fat/oil fillings need a barrier review first — 12+ months is not automatic
  • -Kraft/PLA = industrial only; cellulose = home-compostable niche
  • -Real-world composting time: 90-180 days in controlled facilities
  • -BPI logo sublicense ~$3,000/yr — flagged before artwork, not on invoice
EN 13432
EN 13432
European industrial compostable standard
AS 4736
AS 4736
Australian industrial compostable
AS 5810
AS 5810
Australian home compostable
Full spec sheet

Layer Structures & Barrier Data

Showing 5 of 5 structures • Sorted by BarrierLevel (low→high)

ImageFeatures
Bio Cello Duplex ClearCello Clear<200<50Low
Window
Bio Kraft PBAT LowKraft PBAT<2000<80Low
Kraft
Bio Cello Triplex MetalisedCello Metalised<5<5High
Metal
Bio Kraft VM CelloKraft VM Cello<5<5High
Kraft Metal
Bio Cello Triplex HighestCello Highest<1<1Ultra
Metal

Quick Selection Guide

Window? Choose Clear
Moisture? Choose PP
Max Barrier? Aluminum
Natural Look? Kraft
Recyclable Mono-PE

Recyclable Mono-PE

Single-polymer structures that enter the #4 store drop-off stream whole.

Verified Claims
  • Single PE polymer throughout — no delamination contamination
  • Store drop-off #4 stream: "Recyclable where facilities exist"
  • 100-200 um total, OTR <8 to <1 cc/m2/day with metallised option
  • WVTR 12 down to <1 g/m2/day depending on structure
  • Clear window option for product visibility
Limits
  • -Not curb-side recyclable in most municipalities
  • -Mid barrier — protects for months, not a year on a supermarket shelf
  • -We print "where facilities exist" because that is the truth
  • -Not compostable — it would contaminate the compost stream
How2Recycle #4
How2Recycle #4
Store drop-off PE film recycling
Full spec sheet

Layer Structures & Barrier Data

Showing 6 of 6 structures • Sorted by BarrierLevel (low→high)

ImageFeatures
Mono PE Duplex ClearPE Duplex Clear<8<12Mid
Window
Mono PP Duplex ClearPP Duplex Clear<1500<5Mid
Window
Mono PE Duplex No WindowPE No Window<8<12Mid
Mono PP Duplex No WindowPP No Window<1500<5Mid
Mono PE Triplex MetalisedPE Metalised<1<1High
Metal
Mono PP Triplex MetalisedPP Metalised<1<0.5High
Metal

Quick Selection Guide

Window? Choose Clear
Moisture? Choose PP
Max Barrier? Aluminum
Natural Look? Kraft
Bio-PE (Sugarcane)

Bio-PE (Sugarcane)

Same PE molecule, renewable carbon. Tested, printed, recyclable #4.

Verified Claims
  • Bio-based polyethylene from sugarcane ethanol
  • ASTM D6866 tested bio-based percentage on every spec sheet
  • Drop-in replacement for fossil PE — same seal strength, same print line
  • 85%+ of foil O2 barrier when metallised structure is used
  • Recyclable in #4 PE stream (same molecule as fossil PE)
Limits
  • -Not compostable — it is PE, and we will not let your artwork imply otherwise
  • -Renewable carbon, but the plastic does not biodegrade
  • -"Bio-based" is not the same as "biodegradable" — different axes
  • -Must use RECYCLABLE logo, never compostable markings
ASTM D6866
ASTM D6866
Bio-based content testing standard
Full spec sheet

Layer Structures & Barrier Data

Showing 10 of 10 structures • Sorted by BarrierLevel (low→high)

ImageFeatures
BioPE PET Duplex ClearBioPE PET Clear<8<12Mid
Window
BioPE PP Duplex ClearBioPE PP Clear<1500<5Mid
Window
BioPE PET Duplex No WindowBioPE PET NoWin<8<12Mid
BioPE PP Duplex No WindowBioPE PP NoWin<1500<5Mid
BioPE Kraft VMPETBioPE Kraft VMPET<1<1High
Kraft Metal
BioPE PET Triplex MetalisedBioPE PET Metal<1<1High
Metal
BioPE PP Triplex MetalisedBioPE PP Metal<1<0.5High
Metal
BioPE PET Triplex AluminumBioPE PET Alu<0.5<0.5Ultra
Alu
BioPE PP Triplex AluminumBioPE PP Alu<0.5<0.3Ultra
Alu
BioPE PET Quadlex Aluminum Heavy DutyBioPE PET Quadlex<0.3<0.3Ultra
Alu

Quick Selection Guide

Window? Choose Clear
Moisture? Choose PP
Max Barrier? Aluminum
Natural Look? Kraft
PCR Recycled

PCR Recycled

Post-consumer resin with GRS chain-of-custody — the % you print is auditable.

Verified Claims
  • GRS 4.0 certified chain-of-custody from collection to finished film
  • 30-90% recycled content depending on structure and barrier needs
  • Full spec page range: 100-200 um, OTR <2000 down to <0.3 cc/m2/day
  • Kraft + window + metallised + aluminum options all available
  • Recycled-content % is printed on the bag and backed by audit trail
Limits
  • -A recycled-content claim, not a recyclable one — different axes
  • -Batch-to-batch colour variation inherent in post-consumer feedstock
  • -FDA food-contact testing required per application — not automatic
  • -Higher recycled % can reduce barrier performance
GRS 4.0
GRS 4.0
Global Recycled Standard — chain of custody
Full spec sheet

Layer Structures & Barrier Data

Showing 15 of 15 structures • Sorted by BarrierLevel (low→high)

ImageFeatures
PCR Kraft Duplex LowKraft Duplex Low<2000<15Low
Kraft
PCR PET Duplex ClearPET Duplex Clear<8<12Mid
Window
PCR PP Duplex ClearPP Duplex Clear<1500<5Mid
Window
PCR PET Kraft Triplex ClearPET Kraft Triplex<8<10Mid
Window Kraft
PCR PP Kraft Triplex ClearPP Kraft Triplex<1500<4Mid
Window Kraft
PCR PET Duplex No WindowPET No Window<8<12Mid
PCR PP Duplex No WindowPP No Window<1500<5Mid
PCR PET Triplex MetalisedPET Metalised<1<1High
Metal
PCR PP Triplex MetalisedPP Metalised<1<0.5High
Metal
PCR Kraft VMPETKraft VMPET<1<1High
Kraft Metal
PCR PET Triplex AluminumPET Aluminum<0.5<0.5Ultra
Alu
PCR PP Triplex AluminumPP Aluminum<0.5<0.3Ultra
Alu
PCR PET Kraft Quadlex AluminumPET Kraft Quadlex<0.5<0.5Ultra
Kraft Alu
PCR PP Kraft Quadlex AluminumPP Kraft Quadlex<0.5<0.3Ultra
Kraft Alu
PCR PET Quadlex Aluminum Heavy DutyPET Quadlex Heavy<0.3<0.3Ultra
Alu

Quick Selection Guide

Window? Choose Clear
Moisture? Choose PP
Max Barrier? Aluminum
Natural Look? Kraft
No Greenwashing

Claims we will not print — and why.

ClaimWhat we actually mean
100% compostableOnly if certified (EN 13432 / AS 4736 / AS 5810). Kraft/PLA is industrial only — not home compostable unless specifically tested.
BiodegradableUnregulated term in most markets. We refuse to print it. Use "compostable" only when backed by a cert number.
Eco-friendlyMarketing phrase, not a standard. Every material has an environmental cost. The question is which cost your product can accept.
RecyclableOnly true if #4 PE drop-off facilities exist in your customer's area. We print "where facilities exist" to be honest.
Made from plantsBio-PE is made from sugarcane but it is still PE. It recycles as #4, it does not compost.
Zero plasticCompostable films contain bioplastics (PLA, PBAT, cellulose). They are not "zero plastic" — they are a different kind of plastic.

Not sure which material fits?

Send us your product, shelf-life target, and distribution channel. We will recommend a structure with real numbers — and tell you what it cannot do.

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