CNH Industrial, through its investment arm CNH Ventures, announced Jan. 23 it is supporting the scientific development of the first viable compostable net wrap for bales in agriculture through an investment in Canadian start-up Nature’s Net Wrap.
The compostable net wraps aim to reduce landfill use, haulage and disposal costs, eliminate soil contamination, improve animal safety and reduce the risk of water contamination, resulting in a reduction of approximately 2.5 million tons of plastic waste per year. High growth in this market is propelled by the general demand for chemical- and plastic-free solutions. Initial product launch is expected in 2024.
This solution uses biopolymer material made from renewable resources. It holds up structurally and can either naturally break down in the earth’s soil or be composted. CNH Industrial's investment is supporting the testing and validation of the solution, with a New Holland baler producing all the bales in this testing phase.