Together, the two companies offer the required elements for a home compostable label: on one hand, Futamura’s NatureFlex™ cellulose films provide the home compostable facestock; on the other hand, Bio4life’s technology delivers the required certified home compostable adhesive.
The outcome is a high-performance label that is renewable, food-safe, and compatible with both industrial and home composting systems, as well as being suitable for a range of fresh produce such as apples, citrus fruits, avocados and kiwis.
Traditionally produced PSA labels use fossil-based plastics and non-compostable adhesives, making them a contamination risk in organic waste streams and anaerobic digestion processes. This is because consumers dispose of the label together with the fruit and vegetable skins.
The countdown to the PPWR implementation on 12 February 2028 places urgency on the transition to mandated compostable produce labels
As the stickers are too small to be separated and most other materials, especially conventional plastics, do not break down under anaerobic condition, this can lead to contamination of the digestate. Fruit and vegetable labels produce using NatureFlex™ films are suitable for anaerobic digestion, breaking down in the process and therefore, do not contaminate it.
The new compostable PSA label engineered with both technologies meets the growing demand for environmentally responsible packaging solutions.
Bio4Life deliver certified home and industrial compostable label stock, without compromising performance, printability, or application efficiency.
NatureFlex™ films provide a renewable, cellulose-based face stock derived from responsibly managed wood pulp. The films are available in clear, white or metallised variants to fit all client requirements.
The countdown to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) implementation on 12 February 2028 places urgency on the transition to mandated compostable produce labels, with the fresh produce industry now facing just one remaining harvest cycle to complete trials and testing.
This restricted timeline highlights the need for close collaboration across the supply chain to ensure fully compliant solutions are trialled, tested and ready ahead of PPWR requirements.
Marcel de Oude, Co-owner of Bio4life remarked: “Our home compostable adhesive technology BioTAK® is designed to work hand-in-hand with renewable home compostable substrates like NatureFlex™. This partnership showcases how collaboration can accelerate the shift toward packaging that supports a circular economy. We’re proud to bring this innovation to market with Futamura.”
