SÜDPACK Planova®: Bio-based PLA film for fresh herbs and cut flowers

Whether fresh cut flowers, potted herbs, or cut herbs, horticultural products need to be both optimally protected and attractively presented at the point of sale. With Planova®, SÜDPACK offers a bio-based, biodegradable PLA film solution that is highly transparent, breathable, and dimensionally stable. It is particularly well suited to producing tapered packaging known as conical sleeves.

According to forecasts (by Kings Research), the global market for cut flower packaging is expected to grow from around USD 6 billion today to more than USD 8.5 billion over the next six years. In Germany, more than two-thirds of all cut flowers are already sold in prepackaged bunches, primarily through the food retail trade, garden centers, and gas stations. The global market for fresh potted and cut herbs is growing just as rapidly, with food retailers and garden centers also dominating sales in this segment.

A changing retail landscape

However, restrictions on the use of conventional plastic films, the steadily growing volume of packaging waste, and the increasing focus on more environmentally responsible packaging solutions are prompting the industry to rethink its approach. There is growing demand for solutions capable of meeting the PPWR requirements that will take effect from 2030. 

Bio-based, high-performing, and resource-efficient

With its PLA-based Planova films, film manufacturer SÜDPACK offers a product line that combines environmental benefits with high performance. The bio-based material is made from renewable raw materials such as sugarcane or corn starch and helps reduce the use of fossil resources. When assessed across their entire life cycle, bio-based plastics can therefore make a significant contribution to more resource-efficient material choices. PLA is also compostable under industrial conditions.

Protects, showcases, and keeps products fresh

Despite its low thickness, Planova film offers excellent dimensional stability, reliably protecting fresh products during handling and transport. Delicate blossoms, stems, and herbs are protected against breakage and damage, while the film’s high transparency and brilliant gloss provide a clear view of the product and showcase its freshness, quality, and color. The packaging is therefore ideal for enhancing the premium appeal of high-quality bouquets and organic herbs in supermarkets, garden centers, and florist shops.

Another key advantage lies in the properties of PLA: Due to their molecular structure, Planova films are gas-permeable and, unlike many other plastic films, do not require microperforation. This allows moisture to escape and air to circulate, effectively preventing rot and keeping delicate products fresh for longer. Unlike paper, the material does not become soggy when placed in a bucket of water or during watering, so its protective function and optics remain fully intact. 

Planova films are available in thicknesses ranging from 15 to 100 μm and widths from 200 to 2,300 mm. For conical sleeves used in horticulture and floristry, one option is a 25 μm film that offers excellent dimensional stability despite its low thickness. The films also offer excellent printability, enabling customized designs for applications such as branding, variety identification, and consumer information.

Planova from SÜDPACK is a film solution that combines functionality and attractive product presentation with the use of renewable raw materials. It is ideal for premium flower and herb packaging where protection, freshness, and visual appeal must all be ensured.