EN 13206 Plastics - Thermoplastic Coating Films Used in Agriculture and Horticulture

The European standard “EN 13206 Plastics - Thermoplastic coating films for agriculture and horticulture” describes the requirements regarding the dimensional, mechanical, optical and thermal properties of thermoplastic films used to coat permanent or temporary greenhouses, walkways and low tunnels used for forcing and semi-forcing vegetable, fruit and flower plants.

This standard applies to agricultural tunnel films as well as flat perforated cover films. It specifies a classification for the durability of cover films and the test methods referenced in this document. It also describes test methods for determining the chlorine and sulfur content of films subjected to use.

This standard applies to the following types of thermoplastic covering films used in agriculture and horticulture in Europe, manufactured from polyethylene or ethylene copolymer materials, with thicknesses ranging from 20 µm to more than 250 µm: non-thermal films, thermally transparent films, and thermal diffusion films.

This standard also provides guidance on the installation, use, and disposal of covering films. These guidelines specify the expected normal service life and allow for the assessment of the remaining potential use in the event of a failure before the normal end-of-use date. These guidelines allow for the estimation of the remaining value of the films. These provisions apply only to the film itself and any damage it may sustain. All other issues fall under professional practices and general terms of sale.

The table provided within this standard lists different types of covering films, their optical and thermal properties, and application areas. Accordingly,

Non-thermal: Has low IR activity. Application area: Fortified and semi-tough products.
Thermally transparent: Has high transparency and high IR efficacy. Application area: Same use as normal film when higher IR efficacy is desired.
Thermal diffusion: It has high IR efficiency by dispersing light. Application area: Same use as normal film when higher IR efficiency and diffused light effect are desired.

According to this standard, coating films are generally produced from the following:

Low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, and their mixtures.
Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers and their blends with low-density polyethylene or linear low-density polyethylene.
Ethylene butyl acrylate copolymers and their blends with low-density polyethylene or linear low-density polyethylene.

EN 13206 is a European standard that defines the requirements for thermoplastic films used in agriculture and horticulture, particularly in applications such as greenhouse coverings, mulching, and silage protection. This standard ensures that plastic films meet specific performance criteria regarding resistance to environmental conditions, increased agricultural productivity, and the promotion of sustainability.

The EN 13206 standard covers the technical specifications of thermoplastic films used in various agricultural applications. These films are used for the following purposes:

Greenhouse covers: Creating controlled environments for plant growth.
Mulching: To suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and regulate soil temperature.
Silage wrapping: Protecting the feed from exposure to air and moisture.
Other applications include low tunnels or direct crop coverings.

This standard applies to films made from materials such as polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate, or other copolymers, ensuring they meet durability, mechanical, and optical performance standards for agricultural use.

This standard includes several critical characteristics that plastic films must meet depending on their intended use. These include:

Mechanical properties:
Tensile strength and elongation: Films must withstand mechanical stresses such as wind, hail, or assembly without tearing.
Impact resistance: Provides resistance to physical impacts such as falling objects or harsh weather conditions.
Tear resistance: This is critical for films exposed to handling or environmental abrasion.
Optical properties:
Light transmittance: Standards for greenhouse films define light transmittance levels to optimize photosynthesis. This includes total light transmittance and diffusion properties.
UV resistance: To ensure a long lifespan when exposed to sunlight, films must be resistant to degradation caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Thermal properties: Some films are designed to trap infrared radiation to maintain temperature in greenhouses.
Durability and weather resistance: Films must withstand prolonged exposure to environmental factors such as UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and humidity without significant degradation. This standard incorporates accelerated aging tests to simulate long-term outdoor exposure.
Dimensional stability: Films must maintain their shape and dimensions under varying temperatures and mechanical stresses to ensure proper fit and function.
Chemical resistance: The films must be resistant to degradation caused by pesticides, fertilizers, or other chemicals commonly used in agriculture.
Environmental considerations: This standard promotes the use of recyclable or biodegradable materials where possible, in line with sustainable agricultural practices.

To comply with the EN 13206 standard, manufacturers must subject their films to standard tests, including the following:

Mechanical tests: Use of equipment to measure tensile strength, elongation, and tear resistance.
Optical tests: Measurement of light transmittance and diffusion using spectrophotometers.
Weather resistance tests: Exposing films to artificial UV light and temperature cycles to assess durability.
Chemical exposure tests: Assessment of resistance to agricultural chemicals.

Compliance with these standards is verified by third-party testing or certification organizations to ensure that films meet the specified performance criteria before being released to the market.

The EN 13206 standard plays a vital role in the agricultural sector in the following ways:

Improves crop yield: High-quality films optimize light transmission and thermal conditions, supporting plant growth and increasing yield.
It ensures durability: Films that meet the standard requirements last longer, thus reducing replacement costs and environmental waste.
It promotes sustainability: By encouraging recyclable or biodegradable films, it supports standard, environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services to businesses in accordance with the "EN 13206 Plastics - Thermoplastic coating films used in agriculture and horticulture" standard.