Eco-Corr Film

What if plastic packaging could go back to nature once it was used-not only for organics waste, but also for specialty rust preventative packaging? That is what Cortec® seeks to do with Eco-Corr Film® as a viable option for manufacturers who want to “go green” and reduce plastic pollution while preventing rust on metal.

Rust Prevention and the Circular Economy

Facilities can choose from a variety of ways to introduce the “circular economy” into their rust prevention plan. Among these are the options to select biobased rust preventatives or recyclable paper or plastic packaging products. Such products contribute to the circular economy by being sourced from renewable raw materials and/or by following a sustainable path to recycling at the end of the life cycle. Another increasingly common pathway to sustainability is the composting option, which diverts packaging from the landfill or incinerator and returns it to nature in an industrial composting facility. While most commercially compostable packaging is specifically made for food and yard waste disposal, new industrially compostable materials have been emerging for other packaging purposes including corrosion protection of metals ruring shipping.

When it comes to rust preventative packaging, Cortec’s VpCI®-126 Film has become a familiar standard, often recognized by its trademarked VpCI®-126 Blue color. While VpCI®-126 is widely used in the automotive, preservation, and other industries with the excellent disposal option of recycling it into other valuable materials, it does not have the compostability option. However, Cortec’s longtime interest in exploring biodegradable technology has led to the most recent TÜV Austria certified industrially compostable version of Eco-Corr Film®, a commercially compostable VCI (vapor corrosion inhibitor) packaging material that does not pose an ecotoxicity threat to plant growth.*

Metal parts packaged in Eco-Corr Film® receive ongoing protection against salt, excessive humidity, condensation, moisture, and aggressive industrial atmospheres. In addition to serving as a physical barrier to the elements and inhibiting corrosion on metals in direct contact with the film, Eco-Corr Film® also contains Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors that vaporize and then condense on all accessible metal surfaces within the enclosed package to interrupt the corrosion reaction between metal, oxygen, and an electrolyte. Eco-Corr Film® meets German TL-8135-002 and NACE TM0208-2018 standards for corrosion protection and can be used to protect a wide variety of metals, including carbon steel, aluminum, galvanized steel, stainless steel, copper, and brass during domestic and overseas shipments. After use, Eco-Corr Film® can be disposed in an industrial composting environment, giving it a final non-polluting destination in the soil.

Who Needs Compostable VCI Film?

Compostable technology such as Eco-Corr Film® will be of special interest to companies currently looking for ways to introduce environmental initiatives and fight plastic pollution. The auto industry, which has relied heavily on recyclable VpCI®-126 plastic bags, is a prime candidate as they seek to inhibit corrosion on metal parts in ways that are considered more environmentally benign. Companies that sell consumer goods are also aware that many customers will be happy to see efforts to reduce environmental impact with packaging that meets EN 13432/ASTM D6400 standards for commercial compostability. Whatever the driving force, Eco-Corr Film® is here to offer packaging material that meets those standards while providing corrosion protection to metal components. Contact Cortec® to learn more about commercially compostable VCI film and introduce it as part of your next environmental initiative!