GRS Environmental Sustainability Composite Materials Film: An innovative force driving green transformation in the industry

I. Introduction
Today, as global environmental awareness is increasing, sustainable development has become the core pursuit of various industries. As a key material in many fields, the improvement of the environmental performance of composite film has attracted much attention. GRS Environmental Sustainability Composite Materials Film came into being, providing an effective solution to the environmental problems caused by traditional materials. This film not only has excellent physical properties, but also fully embodies the concept of environmental protection in terms of material sources, production processes and recycling. It has shown broad application prospects in many industries such as packaging, textiles, and electronics, and is gradually leading the industry into a new era of green development.
II. GRS Certification System: Authoritative Guarantee of Environmental Standards
2.1 Origin and Development of GRS Certification
GRS certification was originally formulated by CU in 2008 to regulate the use of recycled materials in products. On January 1, 2011, the Textile Exchange took over its ownership and continued to improve it. From the initial version to the now widely used GRS 4.0 version (effective on July 1, 2017, replacing GRS 3.0), the certification standards have been continuously updated, covering more comprehensive content, and putting forward more stringent requirements on the proportion of recycled materials, production and sales supervision chain, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. Today, GRS certification has been widely recognized worldwide and has become an important symbol for many companies to demonstrate their environmental responsibility and product sustainability. It has been actively adopted by many well-known brands such as ZARA, H&M, ADIDAS, UNIQLO, NIKE, IKEA, GAP, etc., thus igniting the entire industry chain and linking all supply chain links from raw materials to brands.
2.2 Core requirements of GRS certification
Recycled material content: The product contains at least 20% recycled materials, and with the continuous improvement of environmental protection requirements, many companies even pursue a higher proportion of recycled materials. These recycled materials can come from post-consumer waste (such as used plastic bottles, clothing, etc.) or scraps from industrial production processes. Through the effective use of recycled materials, the dependence on primary resources is reduced, and energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
Production and marketing supervision chain: Establish a strict production and marketing supervision chain to ensure the traceability of recycled materials throughout the production process. From the collection, transportation, processing of recycled materials to the sale of final products, detailed records must be kept for each link to prevent the mixing of non-recycled materials and ensure that the actual content of recycled materials in the product is consistent with the declaration. For example, in the packaging industry, starting from the collection point of recycled plastic bottles, recording their transportation path to the plastic granule processing factory, then to the film production enterprise, until the packaged finished product is sold to customers, the entire process has clear document records and identification.
Social and environmental practices: Require enterprises to comply with social responsibility guidelines during the production process and protect the rights and interests of workers, such as providing reasonable working hours, a safe working environment, and fair remuneration. In terms of environmental practices, enterprises need to take energy-saving and emission reduction measures to reduce the emission of wastewater, waste gas and solid waste, and make rational use of water resources. For example, film production enterprises adopt advanced production processes to improve energy efficiency and deeply treat the wastewater generated during the production process before it meets the discharge standards.
Chemical restrictions: strictly restrict the use of harmful chemicals in the production process of products to ensure that the products are harmless to human health and the environment. Many traditional composite films use some toxic and harmful chemicals in the production process, such as certain plasticizers, flame retardants, etc. These chemicals may be released during the use of the product, causing potential harm to the environment and human body. GRS certification strictly controls the use of these chemicals and encourages companies to use environmentally friendly chemicals instead.
2.3 The significance of GRS certification to the composite film industry
For the composite film industry, GRS certification is an important driving force for promoting the green transformation of the industry. Companies that have obtained GRS certification have more market competitiveness, can meet consumers' demand for environmentally friendly products, and win the trust and favor of consumers. At the same time, certification also encourages companies to continuously optimize production processes, improve resource utilization efficiency, reduce production costs, and achieve a win-win situation of economic and environmental benefits. At the industry level, GRS certification helps to regulate market order, eliminate those companies that do not meet environmental protection standards, and promote the healthy development of the entire industry in the direction of sustainable development. For example, in the textile industry, functional clothing made of GRS-certified composite materials films not only has good waterproof and breathable properties, but is also popular with consumers for its environmentally friendly properties, which has prompted textile companies to actively seek GRS certification and drive the green upgrade of the entire industry chain.
3. Composition and structure of GRS Environmental Sustainability Composite Materials Film

3.1 Selection and source of main raw materials
Recycled polymer materials:
PET (polyethylene terephthalate): a large amount comes from recycled plastic bottles. According to statistics, the number of discarded plastic bottles generated worldwide each year is huge. After recycling these plastic bottles, they can be remade into PET particles through a series of processes such as sorting, cleaning, crushing, and melting, and used to produce GRS environmentally sustainable composite materials films. Taking a well-known film production company as an example, it can recycle millions of discarded plastic bottles every year and convert them into high-quality PET raw materials for film production.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride): recycled PVC waste from post-consumer and industrial production, such as discarded PVC pipes, plastic products, etc. Through advanced recycling technology, these waste materials are processed, impurities are removed, and their properties are restored, so that they can be used as raw materials again in the production process of films, effectively reducing the demand for virgin PVC raw materials.
Natural materials:
Cellulose: It can be extracted from natural plants such as wood and cotton. For example, by chemically treating wood, cellulose fibers are separated. These cellulose fibers have good biodegradability and mechanical properties, and can be compounded with recycled polymer materials to enhance the comprehensive performance of the film. In some environmentally friendly packaging films, the addition of cellulose not only improves the toughness of the film, but also accelerates its degradation rate in the natural environment.
Starch: It is mainly derived from crops such as corn and wheat. Starch is renewable and biodegradable. Compounding it with other materials can improve the flexibility and biocompatibility of the film. In the field of food packaging, GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite film containing starch can be naturally degraded under certain conditions, reducing the pollution of food packaging waste to the environment.
3.2 Composite structure design and its functional advantages
Multi-layer composite structure: Common GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite film adopts a composite structure of three or more layers. Take a film used in outdoor clothing as an example. The outer layer usually uses recycled PET material with certain strength and wear resistance, which can resist external friction and scratches and protect the inner layer structure; the middle layer is the key functional layer, which may be composed of special materials with waterproof and breathable properties, such as specially treated recycled polyurethane film, which can prevent the intrusion of rainwater while allowing the sweat vapor emitted by the human body to pass through, so that the wearer can stay dry and comfortable; the inner layer uses soft and comfortable natural fiber materials, such as materials containing cellulose, which feel comfortable when in contact with the skin and have good moisture absorption.
Functional advantages:
Excellent barrier properties: Through the combination of different material layers, the film can effectively block oxygen, water vapor, odor, etc. In food packaging, this barrier property can extend the shelf life of food and prevent food from deteriorating due to oxidation, moisture or absorption of odor. For example, a GRS-certified food packaging film with a multi-layer composite structure can extend the shelf life of snacks such as potato chips by several weeks, reducing food waste.
Good mechanical properties: The materials of each layer work together to give the film higher tensile strength, tear strength and puncture resistance. In the packaging industry, this film can withstand greater weight and pressure to protect the internal products from damage. For example, the GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite material film used for electronic product packaging can effectively prevent the product from being damaged by collision and extrusion during transportation and storage.
Improved environmental performance: Due to the use of recycled materials and biodegradable natural materials, some materials of the film can gradually decompose in the natural environment after use, reducing the long-term burden on the environment. At the same time, the use of recycled materials reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, which meets the requirements of sustainable development. For example, the GRS certified mulch used in the agricultural field can be naturally degraded in the soil after completing its use cycle, avoiding the adverse effects of traditional mulch residues on soil structure and crop growth.
IV. Performance characteristics of GRS Environmental Sustainability Composite Materials Film

4.1 Physical properties
Strength and toughness: GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite material film exhibits excellent strength and toughness. This means that when stretched by external force, the film can withstand a large tensile force without breaking, and at the same time has a certain ductility and is not easy to break brittle. In the textile industry, when this film is used to make fabrics for outdoor clothing, it can effectively resist external forces such as scratches from branches and daily wear and tear, ensuring the service life and functionality of the clothing.
Transparency and gloss: In the field of packaging and optics, the transparency and gloss of the film are crucial. Many GRS-certified composite films can achieve high transparency and good gloss by optimizing the production process and material formulation. High transparency allows consumers to clearly see the product in the package, enhancing the attractiveness of the product, while good gloss adds beauty to the product and enhances the visual effect of the product on the shelf.
Dimensional stability: This type of film has good dimensional stability under different temperature and humidity environments. Whether in a hot and hot environment or a humid and rainy climate, the film's dimensional changes are minimal. This feature is particularly important in the electronics industry. For example, GRS environmentally friendly and sustainable composite films used for electronic device packaging need to maintain stable dimensions under various environmental conditions to ensure a close fit and effective protection of electronic devices, and prevent problems such as loose packaging and device damage caused by changes in film size.
4.2 Chemical properties
Chemical corrosion resistance: GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite film has a certain corrosion resistance to common chemicals. Taking the film containing recycled PVC as an example, it can withstand the erosion of chemicals such as acids and alkalis. In the packaging of chemical products, this film can be used to package some chemical reagents that are not very corrosive, such as certain acid solutions and alkali solutions with low concentrations, to ensure that the packaging will not be corroded and penetrated by chemicals within a certain period of time, and to ensure the safe storage and transportation of the product.
Chemical stability: The film has stable chemical properties during production and use, and is not prone to chemical reactions. This is due to the selection of its raw materials and the design of the composite structure. For example, in food packaging, the film will not react chemically with the ingredients in the food, thereby ensuring the quality and safety of the food. Even under long-term storage and different temperature conditions, the film can maintain its chemical stability and will not release harmful substances to contaminate the food.
4.3 Environmental performance
Recyclability: Because the film contains a large amount of recycled materials and the components are easy to separate and process during the recycling process, it has good recyclability. In the recycling process, different materials can be sorted and recycled through specific process flows and reused to produce new composite film or other products. For example, recycled PET film can be processed and melted again to make new film products, realizing the recycling of resources, reducing the demand for new raw materials, reducing energy consumption and environmental pollution.
Degradability: Some GRS environmentally sustainable composite materials contain biodegradable natural material components, such as starch, cellulose, etc. In the natural environment, these degradable components can gradually decompose under the action of microorganisms and eventually convert into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and water. In the fields of agricultural mulch and disposable food packaging, this degradability is particularly important, which can effectively reduce the accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, reduce the pressure on the ecological environment such as soil and water, and provide an effective way to solve the problem of white pollution.
V. Preparation process of GRS Environmental Sustainability Composite Materials Film
5.1 Improvement of traditional preparation process
Optimization of extrusion composite process: Based on the traditional extrusion composite process, improvements have been made to the characteristics of GRS environmentally sustainable composite materials film. For raw materials containing recycled materials, a more sophisticated pretreatment link is added before extrusion. Taking recycled PET as an example, advanced cleaning equipment and technology are used to remove impurities and residual chemicals and improve the purity of recycled materials. During the extrusion process, parameters such as temperature, pressure and extrusion speed are precisely controlled to ensure that the recycled materials can be evenly mixed with other materials to form a composite film with stable performance. For example, a company optimized the screw structure of the extruder to make different materials better integrated under the conveying and shearing action of the screw, and the produced GRS composite film has significantly improved in tensile strength and barrier properties.
Improvement of adhesive composite process: In the adhesive composite process, environmentally friendly adhesives are selected to meet the requirements of GRS certification for chemical restrictions. At the same time, the coating method and drying process of the adhesive are improved. High-precision coating equipment is used to ensure that the adhesive is evenly coated on the surface of the film to avoid the problem of inconsistent composite strength caused by uneven coating. In the drying process, new drying technologies such as infrared drying or vacuum drying are used to improve drying efficiency and reduce energy consumption, while ensuring that the adhesive can be fully cured and enhance the composite strength between films.
5.2 Application of new preparation technology
Coextrusion blow molding technology: Coextrusion blow molding technology is a new method for preparing GRS environmentally friendly and sustainable composite film. This technology uses multiple extruders to extrude different materials into one die head at the same time, and forms a multi-layer composite film during the inflation process. The advantage of this technology is that the thickness and proportion of each layer of material can be accurately controlled to achieve a perfect combination of materials with different properties. For example, in the production of

The GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite film of particles has unique advantages. By dissolving precursors such as metal alkoxides or inorganic salts in a solvent to form a uniform sol, and then hydrolyzing and polycondensing under certain conditions, it gradually changes into a gel state, and then undergoes processes such as drying and heat treatment to obtain a composite film containing inorganic nanoparticles. This method can realize the composite of organic and inorganic materials at the molecular level, significantly improving the performance of the film. For example, the composite of nano titanium dioxide into an organic film containing recycled materials by the sol-gel method can make the film have good antibacterial properties and UV shielding properties, which is suitable for food packaging and outdoor products.
5.3 Quality control and environmental protection measures in the preparation process
Quality control: In the preparation process of GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite film, a strict quality control system has been established. Starting from the procurement of raw materials, recycled materials and other raw materials are strictly tested for quality to ensure that they meet the requirements of GRS certification and product quality standards. During the production process, the key performance indicators of the film, such as thickness, width, tensile strength, and composite strength, are monitored and controlled in real time by online monitoring equipment. Once a quality problem is found, the production parameters are adjusted in time or production is stopped for investigation and rectification.
Environmental protection measures: A series of environmental protection measures are taken during the preparation process to reduce the impact on the environment. In terms of energy utilization, clean energy, such as solar energy and wind energy, is given priority, and production equipment is transformed to save energy to improve energy utilization efficiency. In terms of waste treatment, waste generated during the production process is classified for recycling and reuse. For scraps and unqualified products, if they are recyclable materials, they are put back into production after treatment; for non-recyclable waste, they are properly handled in accordance with environmental protection requirements, such as harmless incineration or landfill. In terms of waste gas and wastewater treatment, advanced purification equipment is installed to desulfurize, denitrify, and remove dust from the waste gas generated during the production process to ensure that it meets the emission standards; wastewater is subjected to biochemical treatment and filtration to remove harmful substances before being discharged to ensure that the production process complies with environmental protection regulations and GRS certification requirements for environmental practices.
VI. Application areas of GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite film
6.1 Packaging industry
Food packaging: GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite film is widely used in the field of food packaging. Its good barrier properties can effectively prevent the intrusion of oxygen, water vapor and microorganisms, and extend the shelf life of food. For example, the use of composite films containing recycled PET and natural cellulose to package baked foods such as bread and cakes can prevent the food from getting damp, softening, and becoming moldy and deteriorating. At the same time, the degradability of the film allows food packaging waste to gradually decompose in the natural environment, reducing pollution to the environment. For some fresh foods that need to be kept fresh, such as meat and vegetables, GRS-certified composite films can adjust the gas environment in the package through special breathable designs to maintain the freshness of the food, while meeting consumers' demand for environmentally friendly packaging.
Pharmaceutical packaging: In pharmaceutical packaging, the chemical stability and barrier properties of GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite film are particularly important. It can ensure that the drug is not affected by external environmental factors and maintains its efficacy. For example, the composite film used to package tablets, capsules and other drugs must not only prevent the drug from getting damp and oxidized, but also ensure that it does not chemically react with the drug during storage and transportation. At the same time, due to the potential harm of pharmaceutical packaging waste to the environment, the recyclability and degradability of GRS certified films can help solve the problem of pharmaceutical packaging waste disposal and reduce the risk to the environment.
Electronic product packaging: Electronic product packaging requires films with good antistatic, buffering and protective properties. GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite film can effectively prevent static electricity from damaging electronic products by adding antistatic agents and other methods. Its high strength and toughness can protect electronic products from external forces such as collision and extrusion during transportation and storage. For example, in the packaging boxes of electronic products such as mobile phones and tablets, the use of GRS certified composite films as lining or outer packaging materials can not only meet the functional requirements of packaging, but also reflect the environmental protection responsibility of the enterprise, which is in line with consumers' pursuit of green products.
6.2 Textile industry
Outdoor clothing: Outdoor clothing has high requirements for functionality and durability. GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite film has excellent waterproof, breathable and wear-resistant properties, which is very suitable for the production of outdoor clothing. Some high-end outdoor brands use GRS-certified composite materials containing recycled polyurethane films to make jackets. This film can effectively block the intrusion of rainwater while allowing human sweat vapor to be discharged, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable during outdoor activities. Its wear resistance can resist scratches from branches and friction from rocks in outdoor environments, extending the service life of clothing.
6.3 Agricultural field
Agricultural mulch: Traditional agricultural mulch films are mostly non-degradable plastic films, which are difficult to decompose naturally after use. They remain in the soil for a long time, which will destroy the soil structure, affect the air permeability and water permeability of the soil, hinder the growth of crop roots, and lead to reduced crop yields. GRS environmentally friendly and sustainable composite film, especially mulch films containing degradable ingredients, provides an effective way to solve this problem. These mulch films can keep warm, keep moisture, and inhibit weed growth during the growth of crops, which is equivalent to the effect of traditional mulch films. After the crops are harvested, the mulch films are gradually degraded under the action of soil microorganisms and will not cause long-term harm to the soil environment. Some GRS certified mulch films made of starch-based biodegradable materials and recycled polymer materials can control the degradation cycle in the natural environment to a few months to a year, which can not only meet the needs of the crop growth cycle, but also disappear quickly after use, reducing agricultural non-point source pollution and protecting the soil ecological environment. ​
Agricultural product preservation packaging: GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite film also has advantages in agricultural product preservation packaging. Its good barrier properties can adjust the gas environment in the package, reduce the oxygen content, increase the carbon dioxide concentration, slow down the respiration of agricultural products, and extend the shelf life of agricultural products. For example, using this film to package fruits such as apples and bananas can extend the shelf life of fruits at room temperature by several days to several weeks. At the same time, the degradability of the film allows agricultural product packaging waste to decompose naturally in the natural environment, reducing the pollution of packaging waste to the environment, and meeting the requirements of green agricultural development. For some agricultural products that need to be transported over long distances, such as vegetables and flowers, GRS certified composite film packaging can also provide a certain buffering protection effect, reduce the damage of agricultural products during transportation, and improve the quality and market value of agricultural products.​
6.4 Electronics Industry​
Electronic device packaging: The electronics industry has increasing requirements for packaging materials, which not only require packaging materials to have good protective properties, but also require them to meet environmental standards. GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite film can meet these requirements. It can effectively protect electronic devices from static electricity, moisture, vibration and other factors. For example, in the packaging boxes of electronic products such as mobile phones and tablets, using GRS-certified composite films as buffer materials and linings can prevent electronic devices from being hit and scratched during transportation and storage. At the same time, its antistatic properties can prevent static electricity from damaging electronic devices. The recyclability and environmental protection of the film are in line with the pursuit of sustainable development by electronic companies, which helps companies reduce the cost of packaging waste treatment and enhance the company's environmental image. ​

GRS environmentally friendly sustainable composite film, as an innovative and environmentally friendly material, came into being in the context of global sustainable development. Through the strict GRS certification system, from raw material selection, production process control to product recycling, it fully reflects the concept of environmental protection. Its unique composition structure gives the film excellent physical, chemical and environmental protection properties, making it widely used in many industries such as packaging, textiles, agriculture, and electronics. At present, the film market is showing a rapid growth trend, and many domestic and foreign companies are actively participating in market competition, which has promoted technological innovation and product upgrades. Looking to the future, with the continuous advancement of technology, the continuous expansion of application areas, and the popularization of green consumption concepts, GRS environmentally friendly and sustainable composite film will usher in a broader development space and play an important role in solving global environmental problems and achieving sustainable development goals. Both companies and consumers should actively pay attention to and support the development of GRS environmentally friendly and sustainable composite film, and jointly contribute to protecting the earth's home and creating a green future.