EcoCortec, the European subsidiary of Cortec Corporation, has developed two compostable packaging films intended to replace conventional polyethylene in heavy-duty industrial use. Marketed as EcoShrink and EcoWrap, the films are manufactured at the company's facility in Croatia and are positioned as direct replacements that run on existing wrapping equipment and packaging workflows.
The company frames the products as a response to the volume of single-use polyethylene film consumed in manufacturing and logistics, where stretch and shrink film is used largely for load containment and inventory staging. Rising disposal fees, carbon reporting requirements and regional plastic surcharges have increased pressure on plant managers to find bio-based options that still perform on standard packaging lines. Earlier bio-based films, according to Cortec, often lacked the mechanical strength needed for automated pallet wrappers, leading to tears and load failures in transit.
Two films, two roles
EcoShrink is designed for heat-shrinking both oversized equipment and smaller components. It is formulated with 45 percent biopolymers sourced from certified commercially compostable resins. Under standard heat the film shrinks evenly to form a protective barrier against dust, dirt and moisture, which the company says supports protection during transit and extended outdoor yard storage. Cortec states that the film maintains its structural integrity indefinitely under normal storage conditions and begins to break down only when exposed to an industrial composting environment.
EcoWrap, aimed at palletizing and cargo bundling, is described by the company as the first commercially available compostable, industrial-strength stretch film. It carries "OK compost INDUSTRIAL" certification from TÜV Austria under EN 13432 and ASTM D6400. A specialized tackifier formulation provides the cling and stretch elasticity needed to run on standard automated wrapping equipment without machine retrofits or workflow adjustments. Because of its high tensile strength, Cortec says operators can secure heavy pallet loads with fewer wraps than with conventional stretch film, reducing material consumption per unit shipped and limiting exposure to plastic taxes and landfill surcharges.
End-of-life route
Both films are intended for commercial composting facilities. EcoWrap is designed to break down alongside organic waste into nutrient-rich soil for agricultural use. Cortec says used packaging can therefore be routed to local commercial composting facilities instead of waste compactors, allowing packaging engineers and logistics managers to pursue corporate waste-reduction targets without compromising load integrity or shipping protection.
The films are presented as applicable across manufacturing, e-commerce, agriculture and logistics operations, and as a scalable alternative to conventional polyethylene film. The performance and certification details above are the company's own claims.