Protective Packaging with KURARAY POVAL™

As environmental awareness has grown in recent years, the packaging industry has steadily shifted toward more sustainable materials. Protective packaging materials made with the support of KURARAY POVAL™ are seen as a solution for sustainable cushioning materials and other solutions.

KURARAY POVAL™ is known as one of the few resins that is inherently biodegradable in aqueous solution, making it suitable as an ingredient in compostable materials, which is also supported by BPI certification across a broad range of grades.

1. Upgrade Your Packaging with BPI-Certified KURARAY POVAL™

Our selected grades of KURARAY POVAL™ have received BPI certification in North America. BPI certification of KURARAY POVAL™ resin as an ingredient indicates the end-of-life opportunity for a compostable product. This means our KURARAY POVAL™ resin has undergone a rigorous process, including third-party verification, and has been found to comply with scientific standards. These standards ensure that KURARAY POVAL™ resin will break down as expected in commercial facilities operating in accordance with ASTM D6400 and will not negatively impact compost quality.
 

4. Double the Resilience: Enhanced Flexibility with KURARAY POVAL™

Adding 30% KURARAY POVAL™ to a starch-based foam recipe significantly increases the foam's flexibility and resilience, making it twice as resilient as foam made solely from starch (Figure 2). This enhanced flexibility allows the material to absorb and cushion repeated impacts, providing superior protection for the packaged product. The material's high resilience also safeguards the product against vibrations and impacts during shipping, significantly reducing the risk of damage.

5. Excellent Insulating Capability, Comparable to Polystyrene

Starch-based cushioning materials containing KURARAY POVAL™ exhibit excellent insulating capability, comparable to those of polystyrene. This effectively protects products from temperature fluctuations, making them ideal for transporting temperature-sensitive goods. A high level of insulation is crucial for maintaining product quality by minimizing the effects of external temperature changes. Packaging materials with superior insulating capabilities are particularly effective for transporting products requiring strict temperature control, such as food and medicine.

6. Ideal for Protecting a Variety of Goods

The unique properties of KURARAY POVAL™ in starch-based cushioning materials – including its strength, flexibility, and static reduction – make it ideal for safeguarding various items. It is most suitable for protecting fragile items like electronics, glassware and precision equipment, ensuring they reach their destination safely.

7. KURARAY POVAL™ and the Microplastics Regulation

In accordance with Commission Regulation [EU] 2023/2055 [Restriction of microplastics intentionally added to products] partially hydrolyzed KURARAY POVAL™ grades most commonly used for manufacturing of starch-based cushioning materials are exempt from being classified as synthetic polymer microparticles. Water solubility tests conducted according to the OECD 120 test method [as specified in EU 2023/2055 Appendix 16] confirmed that these KURARAY POVAL™ grades fulfill the solubility criteria of > 2 g/L, qualifying them for this exemption.