Customer Information Leaflet: De-mystifying Bio-degradable and Degradable Mulching Films - a guide to the terminology used when describing some of the key features of Bio-degradable and Degradable plastics that may be offered as mulching films is available. Click here to download a printable version of this leaflet.
Mulching film has been used widely throughout Europe for many years. In the UK the earlier planting and the production of fragile and exotic crops has given rise to an increase in the use of these films.
Tighter EU regulations and restrictions have both increased the cost of plastic waste disposal and left the grower with fewer options for herbicide use on transplanted field crops.
Mulching films…….
• prevent sunlight reaching the soil - inhibiting germination of weed seed present in the seed-bed, removing the requirement for herbicides.
• create a favourable micro climate facilitating rapid root growth and plant establishment
• create a barrier to air born weeds – eliminating potential damage to crops from mechanical or chemical weed control
• protect the mature crop from soil contamination – reducing produce spoilage and rejection levels
Why choose Ilex Bio-Film Mulch?
This totally bio-degradable mulching film from Ilex EnviroSciences delivers all of these benefits, plus it eliminates the real and increasing cost of recovery and disposal of conventional oil-derived plastic films. In addition, the use of Ilex Bio-Film Mulch resolves concern about the impact on the environment of non-recyclable waste plastic.
Ilex Bio-Film Mulch is made from European grown, non-GM plant starch and is compliant with EN13432 under the European Directive (93/62/EC) as a fully bio-degradable, compostable and residue free mulching film.
With stretch and laying qualities comparable to conventional plastic films, Ilex Bio-Film Mulch is applied using existing machinery in a one-pass bed-forming/transplanting operation, ensuring close contact with the soil surface and good shoulder burial.
Ilex Bio-Film Mulch breaks down entirely by microbial action, rather than by oxidation or light. Bio-degradation is reliable and complete providing weed control for up to 16 weeks. Post-harvest, any remaining film is simply incorporated into the soil along with crop debris. Ilex Bio-Film Mulch is the ideal mulching film for use in organic growing systems.
Technical data:
100% biodegradable film made derived from GMO free European grown maize starch.
Colour: Black Grade: 15 micron Roll length: 1500 metres
Roll specification:
Width Weight
1.4 mts 39 kg
1.8 mts 50 kg
2.0 mts 56 kg
Internal core diameter: 7.5 cms / 3 inches Other widths and grades available subject to minimum order quantities
The Real Cost of Polyethylene film mulching:
The total cost of using conventional oil-derived plastic film can be TWICE the price of the film alone when the escalating costs of removal and disposal are included. The cost of lifting, carting and landfill disposal is as much as £505* per hectare and occupies valuable manpower during the busy harvest period.
*figures based on range of on-farm costs 2009 & The Farm Management Pocketbook (John Nix 2007)
Costing £/haª
Polyethylene film
Removal (manual)
Carting
Disposal
up to £600b
up to £235c
up to £175c
£95d
notes:
a: Assuming a mulch application of 8,400 m² per hectare
b: Range of on-farm prices 2009
c: Using actual farm costs & The Farm Management Pocket Book (John Nix 2007)
d: Land fill charge as only films compliant with EN13432 are accepted as fully bio-degradable and compostable.
Trialled, tested and recommended
Ilex Bio-Film mulch has an excellent track-record throughout Europe – extensive UK trials have shown excellent results under a wide variety of crop and soil types and irrigation schedules. Trialled by some of the UK’s most experienced growers Ilex Bio-Film has received glowing recommendations.
Our thanks go to the following growers for their assistance in the Bio-Film Mulch UK development programme: DG Produce Ltd., Langmead Farms Ltd., Riverford Organic Vegetables, National Herb Centre and South Devon Organic Producers.
