You can help reducing global warming by choosing alternative packaging and packaging materials based on sugar cane instead of the traditional (plastic) packaging materials made from fossil fuels such as petroleum and oil.

Moonen Packaging welcomes you into the world of compostable packaging!

Visit the website of Rootsbiopack

Compostable packaging

Compostable packaging materials are derived from nature and return to nature after being used. They are therefore referred to as ‘renewable’ raw materials. A closed natural cycle is involved in the use of such materials, thereby minimizing the use of fossil fuels as well as CO2 emissions.

Source: IBAW

What are 'Roots' packaging materials made from?

Our environmentally friendly ‘Roots’ packaging has its source in sugar cane plantations. After the harvest, the fibres are collected from the fields and brought to the factory, where they are made into a pulp. The pulp is then enriched with a biodegradable mix and used to make various packaging end products (trays, plates, dishes, bowls, cups, meal containers, filler and buffer materials etc.) via the thermoforming process.

'Roots' packaging materials are hygienic and safe for use with food

All our ‘Roots’ products have been submitted to extensive testing and comply with the most stringent European and American criteria, including the designation as ‘Food Approved’ (FDA certificate).

Of course, the production facility and the production process also comply with the most stringent requirements. It should therefore come as no surprise that the entire production facility is ISO as well as BRC certified.

Roots packaging materials proven to be compostable

Whether or not packaging is compostable is set out in a European standard (EN 13432). In other words, such packaging must comply with a series of requirements. Various tests are therefore carried out, not only with regard to biodegradation, disintegration and compost quality and the absence of heavy metals.

To meet these requirements, packaging materials processed in an industrial composting facility must be degraded by up to 90% within 12 weeks. If this is confirmed by an independent laboratory, then the producer may apply for a certificate from a certification institute. All our ‘Roots’ packaging materials comply with the EN 13432 standard and may display the following logos:

(Belgium) (Germany, the Netherlands, UK, Switzerland, Poland)

Roots products are not only suitable for industrial composting. They are also suitable (and certified) for use in home composting applications. In Belgium, for example, 34% of families make use of home composting.

The reasons for choosing 'Roots' environmentally friendly packaging materials from Moonen Packaging

‘Roots’ packaging has only positive effects:

1. Your company chooses to do business in a socially responsible fashion.

2. Your customers end up with less waste material and will reward you for your initiative.
3. You generate ‘environmental added value’ for your products and your company.

'Roots' packaging suitable for every product

An overview is given below of the various applications for which Roots packaging can be used with more detailed specifications per application.

• Vegetables and fruit
• Meat
• Modified Atmosphere Packaging
• Home Meal Replacement
• Non-food packaging

Vegetables and fruit

Roots packaging is the perfect alternative for pulp and EPS packaging: a compostable and good looking food pack.

Meat

The standard Roots trays are very suitable for packaging ‘dry’ meat products (chicken, rabbit, minced meat etc.) and processed meats (hamburgers etc.).

In combination with an absorbent layer, they can also be used for more moist meat products (beef, pork etc.)

MAP

Modified Atmosphere Packaging is becoming increasingly popular. Roots trays are natural products and therefore do not act as a barrier. However, they can be used with the newest machines (e.g. the ATMO pack) to produce a MAP product. Currently we develop a Roots tray with a barrier film to achieve MAP. This tray will still be made out of 99% renewable resources.

Home meal replacement

Roots trays are suitable for use in a microwave and can even be used in traditional ovens. This opens up major opportunities in this fast-growing market, as Roots products can be used for packaging home meal replacements.

Non Food packaging

Roots products are perfectly suitable for filler or buffer material. Consumers often dislike traditional bulky packaging material, as it takes up so much space in the trash bag. As a matter of fact, many customers find Roots packaging much better looking than traditional plastic materials.

A complete assortment of compostable packaging materials and disposables

In addition to the Roots assortment of packaging materials, Moonen Packaging also supplies the following compostable products:

• compostable cutlery
• compostable drinking cups (PLA)
• compostable vegetable and fruit trays (PLA)
• compostable packaging foil including flowpack foil (PLA)
• compostable bags (potato bags, carrot bags etc.) (Mater-Bi, PLA)
• compostable labels
• compostable salad trays (PLA)
• compostable carrier bags (Mater-Bi)

All materials are EN-13432 certified.

In brief:

Moonen Packaging and Roots Biopack develop and produce packaging materials made from sugar cane fibres. Sugarcane is a crop which can be naturally harvested several times a year. This means that it is no longer necessary to use fossil fuel materials, such as petroleum, to produce suitable packaging materials.

Roots packaging is hygienic and safe for use with food. All Roots products have been extensively tested and comply with the most stringent European and American criteria. The packaging materials are ‘Food Approved’ (FDA certificate). The production plant and production process also comply with the most stringent requirements, and the plant has all the ISO certifications as well as being BRC and HACCP certified.

Roots packaging materials can be used for a great variety of applications due to their excellent product characteristics:

1. oil and water resistant

2. temperature resistance:
   1. oil 150°C
   2. water 100°C
   3. oven 220°C
   4. refrigerator -20°C
3. microwave resistant
4. oven resistant
5. steamer resistant

Moonen Packaging supplies packaging and packing materials to supermarket chains, foodstuff producers, government institutions and industrial clients throughout Europe. Purchasing is done globally and is supported by membership in PPI (Pack Partners International). Moonen Packaging is a leading European player in supplying an innovative assortment of environmentally friendly packaging materials made from renewable ingredients. Our efficient logistics structure and our broad product assortment – circa 10,000 articles – translate into cost benefits for our customers.

If you would like to receive more information about environmentally friendly packaging with the help of compostable packaging materials, biodegradable packaging, bio-plastic or bio-packaging, do not hesitate to call us (NL: 0495-581760; BE: 011-433398) or to fill out the contact form. One of our specialists in the area of biodegradable packaging materials will contact you within one workday.

For our standard assortment of environmentally friendly packaging materials, you can also simply visit our E-shop right now. You can access the relevant products via E-shop, catalogue and ‘Biodegradable Packaging’.