PLA Compostable Mulch Film for Vegetables
PLA Compostable Mulch Film for Vegetables — Soil-Biodegradable Film for Greenhouse & Tunnel Production | ES-MF-03
| Material | PLA+PBAT blend (60:40, greenhouse-optimized) |
| Thickness | 12–25 microns |
| Dimensions | 1.2m × 400m (standard); 0.8–2.0m custom widths |
| MOQ | 60 cartons (approx. 1 ton) |
| Lead Time | 15–25 days |
Free samples shipped within 3 business days via DHL/FedEx. Custom-printed samples: 7u201310 days. · 2-year shelf-life. Free replacement of any stock showing premature degradation or defects when stored at 15u201330u00b0C, <60% RH, away from direct sunlight.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Why specify ES-MF-03
Clear biodegradable mulch film made from PLA+PBAT (60:40) optimized for greenhouse and high-tunnel vegetable production where soil warming is the primary objective. At 12\u201325\u03bcm gauge and 1.2m width, the high PLA content maximizes light transmission for rapid soil heating
Clear mulch achieves 5\u20138\u00b0C soil warming above bare soil at 5cm depth, comparable to clear LDPE mulch, making it the preferred choice for early-season warmth and extended growing seasons in temperate climates. EN 17033 certified for complete in-soil biodegradation..
Where it sits in our range. ES-MF-03 is the greenhouse and warm-climate specialist in our mulch film category.
When not to specify it. Clear mulch does not suppress weeds \u2014 the light transmission that warms soil also germinates weed seeds.
When not to specify it. Clear mulch does not suppress weeds \u2014 the light transmission that warms soil also germinates weed seeds. If weed control is required, use ES-MF-02 (black opaque) or ES-MF-04 (black/white reflective). Clear mulch is best p
WHY CHOOSE THIS PRODUCT
Key Features
Complete soil biodegradation within 6-12 months
full mineralisation to CO2, water, and humus with zero microplastic residue and no removal cost
Mechanical-laying compatible with standard tractors
runs at normal field speeds without modification
PBAT/PLA/CaCO3 co-extruded film
calcium carbonate reduces polymer content by 15% while preserving tensile strength
Custom width and gauge available
0.6 to 2.0 m widths and 12 to 30 micron gauges tailored to specific crop and climate requirements
Certified soil biodegradable (EN 17033)
independently verified for complete in-soil degradation without ecotoxicity
Weed suppression equal to conventional PE mulch
opaque black/white options maintain soil temperature and moisture while blocking light
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications
| Material | PLA+PBAT blend (60:40, greenhouse-optimized) |
| Thickness | 12–25 microns |
| Dimensions | 1.2m × 400m (standard); 0.8–2.0m custom widths |
| Color | Clear / Translucent White / Light Green |
| Capacity | 400 meters per roll |
| Pack Count | 2 rolls per carton |
| MOQ | 60 cartons (approx. 1 ton) |
| Lead Time | 15–25 days |
| Carton Dimensions | 125 × 35 × 35 cm |
| Certifications | EN 13432, OK Compost HOME, OK Compost INDUSTRIAL, TÜV |
OEM / ODM
Customization Options
Custom width: 0.8m–2.0m. Custom thickness: 12–25μm. Color: clear, translucent white, light green tint. Gauge recommendation service for specific crop/climate combinations. Perforated options for seeded crops. MOQ 500 kg.
FACTORY CAPABILITIES
Esinle OEM Capabilities
Every product in our range is backed by these manufacturing capabilities from our 15,000 m² Guangzhou facility.
Custom Dimensions
Width, gusset depth, and length adjusted to your exact packaging line requirements. No minimum dimension change penalty.
Printing & Branding
Up to 8-colour flexographic printing with your artwork. MOQ 50,000 pcs for custom print; lower MOQs available with plate-sharing.
In-House Compounding
We compound our own PLA/PBAT/starch resin blends — adjusting flexibility, bio-based %, and degradation timeline per SKU.
BEHIND EVERY PRODUCT
15,000 m² vertically integrated facility
From resin compounding through film blowing, printing, and bag conversion — every step is done in-house. This gives us direct control over quality, lead time, and cost.
USE CASES
Applications
Greenhouse Vegetable Production
Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers in heated and unheated greenhouses — biodegradable mulch that performs under glass and poly
High Tunnel & Polytunnel Cultivation
Season extension production where mulch removal is especially labor-intensive due to confined space — till-in-place biodegradation is transformative
Intensive Horticulture
High-value vegetable and cut flower production in protected environments — the sustainability premium is justified by labor savings and crop value
HONEST TRANSPARENCY
Limitations & Storage
Clear film provides minimal weed suppression — for greenhouse applications with weed pressure, use opaque variants. At 12μm gauge, film integrity in greenhouse conditions is limited to 2–3 months — appropriate only for short-cycle crops (salad greens, radishes). The PLA-rich formulation has lower tear resistance than PBAT-rich films — handle carefully during mechanical laying at temperatures below 15°C.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Won't the film degrade too fast in a hot greenhouse?
Gauge selection is critical for greenhouse use. In tunnels where daytime soil temperatures regularly exceed 30°C, we recommend 25μm minimum gauge, which provides 4–5 months of mechanical integrity. For crops with 6+ month greenhouse cycles, we offer a 30μm custom gauge. The accelerated degradation is actually an advantage — under greenhouse conditions, the film can be tilled in immediately after the last harvest and will be fully biodegraded before the next planting cycle.
Does the clear film provide any weed suppression?
Clear mulch provides minimal weed suppression (light transmission 40–50%) and is primarily used for soil warming and moisture retention in tunnels where weed pressure is managed through other means (sterile growing media, container production, hand weeding). For greenhouse applications requiring weed suppression, we recommend our black or white-on-black greenhouse-grade films. The 60:40 PLA/PBAT formulation is available in opaque black with equivalent degradation properties.
Is there any risk of the film degrading prematurely and failing mid-season?
Our greenhouse formulation includes UV stabilizers (EN 17033 compliant, biodegradable) that protect the film during the service life. In our 3-year greenhouse trial program across southern Europe, premature degradation (< 4 months) occurred in only 2.3% of installations, primarily in tunnels with soil temperatures exceeding 40°C. We provide climate-specific gauge recommendations and a performance guarantee — if the film fails prematurely under normal conditions, we replace it.
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