FKuR to Showcase Bioplastics and Recycled Materials Portfolio at K 2025

Highlights at Booth E48 in Hall 6 include the soil-biodegradable Bio-Flex® N grades for agricultural products and produce, which leave no persistent microplastics behind. In addition, FKuR will showcase an expanded product portfolio of high-performance post-consumer recyclates (PCR) and in-house developed recycled compounds. A new addition is “Paluren,” an LDPE recyclate from Palurec (Uertz, Germany), which is sourced from recycled beverage cartons.

Visitors will also find many product examples made from recyclable bio-based Terralene® compounds based on bio-PE, as well as Braskem's bio-based I'm™ green bio-based PE and EVA grades. Bio-based plastics are a key component in the plastics industry's decarbonization efforts, providing sustainable solutions for applications where environmental compatibility is paramount.

The main features of the new Bio-Flex® N series from FKuR include complete biodegradability in soil and certification by TÜV Austria with the “OK biodegradable SOIL” label. Depending on the grade, due to the lengthy testing and approval process, certification has either been granted or is currently underway. The product portfolio includes grades for blown film, injection molding, and extrusion, all of which have been specifically developed to meet the requirements of agricultural and farming applications.

All Bio-Flex® N types degrade in soil without leaving any residue and do not generate persistent microplastics. This makes them particularly suitable for products that remain in nature after use or cannot be collected again, such as mulch films, tying twines, plant clips for vegetables, tree growth tubes, or drainage pipes in horticulture and agriculture.

Bio-Flex® N 25370, which is already capable of SOIL certification, is suitable for injection molding and profile extrusion products, such as tree guards and growth tubes used in forestry. Despite its high density, N 25370 has excellent flexibility.

The main applications of Bio-Flex® blown film grades N 21310 and N 31310 include mulch films as well as plant and netting tags. Due to its balanced performance characteristics, Bio-Flex® N 21310 is a suitable alternative to the industrially compostable grade Bio-Flex® F 1140 when soil biodegradability is required. In contrast, Bio-Flex® N 31310 offers higher puncture resistance and toughness.

Bio-Flex® N 45261 is suitable for injection molding and profile extrusion. Its increased stiffness and strength make it an ideal choice for applications such as clips, plant stakes, and flower pots.

The visually appealing LDPE recyclate recovered from beverage cartons is a new product in FKuR’s distribution program: the recycled plastic Paluren. This LDPE is supplied in pellet form and is produced from waste beverage cartons (PolyAl) through an innovative recycling process, containing approximately 4% aluminum flakes. This gives products made from Paluren a unique appearance. The recycling company Palurec uses a mechanical-physical process without organic solvents, employing water as the only separation medium. The production of Paluren LDPE complies with the requirements of Germany’s VerpackG certification as well as the RecyClass recycling process certificate.

Paluren is processed in a similar way to traditional PE, allowing the use of hot runner injection molding technology as well as common polyolefin-based color and additive masterbatches. It can also be welded and bonded. The aluminum content is intentionally used to create attractive aesthetic characteristics.

Patrick Zimmermann, Managing Director of FKuR, stated: "With our forward-looking motto for participating in K 2025, we emphasize our ongoing commitment to the circularity of the plastics industry. We demonstrate that those seeking groundbreaking new material alternatives will find highly attractive solutions at FKuR that meet all regulatory requirements. This equally applies to consumer goods, packaging, and industrial applications. In this way, we assist original equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and processors in leveraging our biodegradable or bio-based plastics and recyclates, regardless of the industry, and provide greater sustainability for their customers.