orfix NJB Compostable & Sustainable Films for Food Packaging
orfix NJB Packaging compostable films are produced at our Maynooth facility in Ireland and supplied to food manufacturers across Europe. The range covers home-compostable cellulose and industrially compostable PLA in flow-wrap, lidding film, thermoformable grades and pre-made bags for bakery, fresh produce, confectionery and dry foods. Production is subject to strict quality tests, with conversion and slitting carried out in-house.
Overview of our Compostable Film Products
Below is a quick overview of our core compostable film products, including typical applications, materials, available sizes and thicknesses, order quantities, and food-contact approvals.
| Product | Application | Material | Sizes | Thickness | Order Quantities | Food Contact Approval | Order here |
| Compostable Baguette Bag | Bread, baguettes, baked goods with residual heat | PLA, industrially compostable | 150 x 500 mm | 25 mu | 1,000 / 2,000 / 4,000 / 10,000 | EU + FDA | Buy product |
| Compostable Wicketed Bag | Bakery operations, wicket dispensers for fast loading and sealing | PLA, industrially compostable | Small 150 x 350 mm, Medium 200 x 250 mm | 20 mu | 2,000 / 4,000 / 10,000 | EU + FDA | Buy product |
| Compostable Microperforated Bag | Bread, pastries (centre strip perforation for moisture release) | PLA, industrially compostable | Medium 255 x 440 mm, Medium Plain 300 x 440 mm, Large 300 x 500 mm, Extra Large 300 x 600 mm (each plain or printed) | 25 mu | 1,000 / 2,000 / 4,000 / 10,000 | EU + FDA | Buy product |
| Compostable Labels | Sealing compostable bags, brown bin indication | Industrially compostable | 49 mm round (1,000 labels per reel) | n/a | 1,000 / 2,000 / 4,000 / 10,000 | n/a | Buy product |
Key Features of Compostable Films
- Home-compostable cellulose and industrially compostable PLA grades
- EU and FDA approved for food contact (baguette, wicketed and microperforated bag ranges)
- Heat-sealable on both sides
- Excellent moisture barrier on cellulose grades
- Excellent barrier to gases and aromas; resistant to oils and greases
- Enhanced print and conversion receptivity, excellent transparency and gloss
- Dead-fold characteristics, anti-static, controlled slip for clean machine running
- Based on renewable raw materials: wood pulp (cellulose) or plant sugars (PLA)
- Available in flow-wrap, lidding film, thermoformable and pre-made-bag formats
Technical Specifications of our Compostable & Sustainable Films
Standard grades in stock at Maynooth. Custom widths, anti-fog variants, micro- and macro-perforation and printed versions available on request.
| Material | Thickness | Format | Compost Route |
| Cellulose film (home compostable) | Varies by grade | Flow-wrap, lidding | Home / Industrial / Anaerobic Digestion |
| PLA film (industrial) | Varies by grade | Flow-wrap, thermoformable | Industrial only (T>58°C, rh>90%, presence of micro-organisms) |
| Compostable baguette bag | 25 µm | Pre-made, fully perforated P30, 150×500 mm | Industrial |
| Compostable wicketed bag | 20 µm | Pre-made | Industrial |
| Compostable microperforated bag | 25 µm | Pre-made, centre-strip perforation | Industrial |
| Compostable lidding film | Varies by grade | Tray lidding | Home / Industrial (grade-dependent) |
| Compostable labels (seal + closure) | 49 mm round | Brown-bin stickers | Industrial — adhesive certified to EN 13432 |
Are our Compostable & Sustainable Films Right for You?
Compostable film is a deliberate choice, not a drop-in substitute. Four questions shape every specification.
- Product Type & Shelf-Life: Compostable materials deliver a shorter shelf-life than high-barrier plastics. They suit quick-turn products such as bakery goods, fresh produce, confectionery, dry foods, coffee and tea. High-moisture or high-fat products require compromises.
- Production Efficiency: Flow-wrap lines often need adjustments when switching from conventional plastic. Seal temperatures, dwell times and web tension behave differently. We assess the required changes before a trial run.
- Convenience: Barrier performance is narrower than multilayer plastics, which suits fast-moving categories. Microperforated and fully perforated grades manage moisture while the product cools.
- Presentation: Compostable film feels and sounds different from plastic, noticeably so with cellulose. On-pack compostable logos and brown-bin disposal stickers support a credible sustainability story at shelf.
Applications for Compostable & Sustainable Films from orfix NJB
- Bakery: bread, rolls, baguettes, pastries (microperforated, wicketed, baguette bags)
- Fresh produce: herbs, soft fruit, vegetables (macro-perforated flow wrap)
- Confectionery: chocolates, sweets, lollipops
- Dry foods: grains, pulses, rice, nuts
- Crisps, biscuits, coffee and tea: flow-wrap and pouch formats
- Lidding film and board lamination: tray lids and paper-based composite packs
Sustainability — The Cradle-to-Cradle Approach
In many European markets, infrastructure for recycling soft plastics is still limited, which is why we offer compostable flow-wrap and lidding as the practical route to a lower-impact pack. PLA is plant-based, made from fermented plant starch derived from corn, cassava, sugarcane or sugar beet pulp, and fully degrades into CO₂, water and biomass under controlled industrial conditions (T>58°C, rh>90%, presence of micro-organisms). Cellulose is derived from wood pulp and is suitable for home composting, industrial composting and anaerobic digestion.
In-House Conversion, Slitting & Rework
Slitting and conversion take place at the Maynooth facility, with almost 40 years of packaging experience behind the process. The slitter rewinder handles films from 10 µm to 400 µm, slitting up to 1600 mm wide across PE, OPP, PVC, cellulose, PLA and laminates.
Rework solutions repair crushed cores, correct tension issues, remove damaged edges and convert obsolete SKUs into usable stock. For food manufacturers this shortens lead times and keeps existing roll inventory in production rather than in waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start a Packaging Consultation
Compostable film selection is not a catalogue decision. It starts with the four questions above: product and shelf-life, machinery, convenience features and on-shelf presentation. We respond with a material specification, a sample pack where useful, and a composting route that matches where the pack actually ends up.
We would be pleased to advise you individually!
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