A trend-setter in the Indonesian packaging industry

Global consumption of biodegradable materials has been on the rise and in Asia, the use of bio-based and biodegradable materials as an alternative has seen tremendous growth. The 2017 Asia Plastics Processing Technology and Innovative Materials Summit, organized by Ringier Trade Media Ltd, culminated with a Factory Tour on September 7 at the Inter Aneka Lestari Kimia PT production site. The factory tour gave the conference participants an introduction on the company operations and its products. International Plastics News for Asia (IRNA) learned from Ir. Herman Moeliana, President Director of Inter Aneka Lestari Kimia PT, how the company has been able to develop ENVIPLAST®, a green alternative to plastic. 

 

Ir. Herman Moeliana, President Director of Inter Aneka Lestari Kimia

  

IRNA: Please give me an overview on how Inter Aneka Lestari Kimia PT started?

 

Mr. Moeliana: Inter Aneka Lestari Kimia was founded in 1985 to manufacture chemical products for building related purposes. In 1990, the masterbatch and polymer compound business division was established to serve the growing plastic industry in Indonesia.  The biopolymer compound business unit, as well as the research and development division (R&D) was established in 2006. In 2011, ENVIPLAST® was introduced to the market as environmental friendly bio-based pellets and bags/film.

 

We have two factory buildings in Tangerang, Indonesia and our production capacity totals 3,000MT annually for pellets and 3,000MT yearly for film/bags. We have been serving the Indonesian domestic market especially the packaging and other sectors. However, we are also setting new sights outside Indonesia as we tap new international markets. 

 

IRNA: Inter Aneka Lestari Kimia has strived to present a novel “green” alternative to plastic, what are the applications of this product?

 

Mr. Moeliana: The green movement and biodegradable polymer innovation around the world created awareness on many different levels, starting from the sustainability of the resources, end of life of the products, the processing facilities, price performance level of the products, energy resources, carbon footprint, etc. In response to this trend, Inter Aneka Lestari Kimia PT has been working hard to achieve customer's satisfaction in its service and product quality. In meeting our customer’s requirements, we also strive to develop a sustainable alternative to plastic and our research and development efforts have paid off with the launch of our product, ENVIPLAST®. 

 

ENVIPLAST® is a bio-based polymer compound made from industrial natural starch, vegetable oil derivatives and other natural ingredients. It is biodegrading in nature and is safe for plant growth and animals. This product offers solutions to most of the issues as it has a sustainable lifecycle, from the bio-based raw materials, low-cost process and production, to no necessity for end of life processing facilities, and finally back to nature in the form of CO2, H2O and biomass. 

 

As a starch-based compound for plastic substitution, it is both bio-based and biodegradable. 

 

 

ENVIPLAST® composite pellets is considerably lower in cost compared to the existing compostable plastics pellets in the market, and thus offers more economical solutions to bag manufacturers by modifying their existing machine with relatively low-cost investment. The bags/film produced from the pellets uses similar conventional blown film technology with a processing temperature condition ranging from 120 - 170 ℃. The film can then be used to produce shopping bags, garbage bags, laundry bags, aprons, and multi-purpose disposable flexible packaging.

The bags are applicable for supermarkets, hotels, hospitals, department stores, restaurants, and those who wish to contribute to a better environment. ENVIPLAST® bags are available in two types; one with handle (T-shirt) and one with a grip-hole. We also provide customers with custom sizes, which may include logo imprint.

 

IRNA: What makes ENVIPLAST® stand out? What special characteristics bring it ahead of other green materials in the market today?

 

Mr. Moeliana: ENVIPLAST® is the most suitable substitute for environmental unfriendly conventional plastic. It will degrade in nature by action of micro-organism (e.g. bacteria, fungi). It can also safely be consumed by snails, insects, and other land and aquatic animals. When used in organic bag, the bag is both reusable and can be treated as compost 

 

As we have demonstrated, ENVIPLAST® dissolves instantly in hot water, softens in cold water and leaves only a small amount of ash when burnt; contrary to conventional plastic which leaves molten residue behind. An ENVIPLAST® film can be placed under hot flat iron and will not melt nor stick on the iron surface.  

 

ENVIPLAST® film also has a static dissipative property, with a surface resistivity of 107.5 - 1010ohm/cm2, compared to HDPE/LDPE at 1013ohm/cm2. There is potential to use ENVIPLAST® as antistatic wrapping for electronic components, which are prone to interference caused by electrostatic.

 

The material has excellent oxygen barrier (0,0235 mL/100in2.day) and this makes it potential to be used as protective layer in food and healthcare multi-layer flexible packaging.

 

An Acute Oral Toxicity of ENVIPLAST® tested by WIL Research Europe BV indicates that ENVIPLAST® does not have to be classified and has no obligatory labeling requirement for acute oral toxicity, according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) of the United Nations (2011) and Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2009 on classification, labelling, packaging of substances and mixtures. 

 

As I have said earlier, ENVIPLAST® film is harmless and can be digested by various animals without harmful effects like those by conventional plastics. In terms of performance, the material can pass the requirements for thickness, tensile strength, elongation, sealing strength, surface resistivity, and oxygen transmission rate.

 

 

ENVIPLAST® bags are not the traditional plastic bags, even though its manufacturing process and appearance are similar to conventional plastic bags. ENVIPLAST® bags can "disappear" with the help of macro- and micro-organism under natural condition and can go to landfill directly, while other available bioplastics can only biodegrade under industrial composting conditions and will not decompose when discarded into nature or buried into landfill. This makes ENVIPLAST® a more ideal option toward environment-protection. 

 

IRNA: What are the achievements of the company so far?

 

Mr. Moeliana: Inter Aneka Lestari Kimia PT has proven itself as market leader and trend-setter in the building chemicals and plastic industry. In addition to obtaining ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 14001 certifications, the company has received several prestigious awards which highlights our commitment to quality management and innovation.

 

The ASEAN Federation of Plastic Industries Council also awarded ENVIPLAST® in Thailand. The Council initiated an ASEAN product contest as part of the plans and programs to promote the development and growth of the plastics industry in the ASEAN region. This resulted in the creation of a project called “ASEAN Plastics Awards” which aims to encourage innovation without compromising on the quality and standards, hence creating higher value to ASEAN’s plastic products. All eligible entries are judged based on the merits of their quality of the production, manufacturing process, function, and design. Entries are judged according to four criteria as follows: Innovation and Function, Aesthetic, Environmental Concern and Overall Impression. The juries from internationally reputed organizations gave ENVIPLAST® the Green or Sustainable Award. The Green or Sustainable Award is given to a product that has been designed such that it has minimal negative impact on the global or local environment, community, society, or economy. The Green or Sustainable Award has been especially established to honor companies, institutions and designers who have respect for the environment and who plan for a better future. 

 

Another recognition that was the Indonesia Plastic Award 2015, where Inter Aneka Lestari Kimia PT won The Best Technical, Innovative and Environmentally Friendly, Category Packaging Product - Flexible Packaging Bag.  IRNA

 

Inter Aneka Lestari Kimia PT  

Graha Lestari Building, 12th Floor

Jl. Kesehatan 48, Jakarta 10160 – Indonesia

Tel: : +6221 38 901 901

Fax : +6221 38 901 890

Email : info@enviplast.com

Website: www.enviplast.co.id