Fumigation film is a flexible film used to provide both moisture barrier and fumigant vapor barrier in applications where the soil intended for the intensive cultivation of fruits and vegetables undergoes a pre-plant chemical sterilization or fumigation. The fumigation is needed to control soil borne pathogens such as nematodes, as well as bacteria, fungi and weeds. The use of fumigants is an effective method to produce high quality vegetables, fruits and cut flowers. For decades methyl bromide has been the most widely used chemical in the industry as an effective pesticide and herbicide. The Montreal Protocol of 1997 declared methyl bromide as an ozone-depleting substance and much work has been done on a global basis to find cost-effective alternatives. Exemptions for the use of methyl bromide for critical use conditions in countries with developed agricultural practices have been granted. Methyl bromide alternatives are less harmful to the environment but can pose both acute and chronic health risks to field workers and nearby communities. For this reason, mitigation methods to reduce the consumption of methyl bromide and its registered alternatives such as chloropicrin, 1,3-dichloropropene, methyl iodide, methyl isothiocyanate have been developed by the industry and implemented for example by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
High-barrier mulching films containing EVAL™ EVOH allow good crop productivity while meeting new tighter regulation. EVAL™ resins, with their outstanding gas barrier properties, provide solutions in: • fumigation films (for use in broad - cast, drip or shank applications) - allow for the safe and effective use of fumigants - can be used as a buffer zone credit in the US • silage films - prevent degradation of feed quality • greenhouse films - contain carbon dioxide In addition, EVAL™ EVOH resins can be fully recycled within existing polyolefin streams. EVAL Europe (part of the Kuraray Group) is a supplier of EVOH in the totally impermeable film (TIF) market; this has use in applications such as broadcast fumigation, as a fumigant barrier in mulch, as an oxygen and odour barrier in silage, and to extend the lifespan of fumigant impregnated greenhouse film. A TIF film is multilayer comprising typically, outer layers of PE, adhesive layers and a middle EVOH layer. Nylon can also be used as the barrier layer, but it is not as effective (VIF film).

Arkema has developed a new and effective soil fumigant marketed under trade names Paladin® and Accolade®. The dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) based technology is a pre-plant soil fumigant which is very effective against parasitic nematodes, soil-borne plant pathogens and weeds. Soil fumigant efficacity is maximized by using a gas barrier film that is highly impermeable to DMDS. Arkema has developed, and industrially produced, an LDPE based multilayer gas barrier film using a high performance tie layer, Orevac®, and gas barrier resin, Evasin® EVOH. The films barrier properties to DMDS have been evaluated in multiple humidity and temperature conditions according to the French norm NF T54-195-2. The gas permeability for this film have been compared against the industry standard polyamide-based films to understand the relative performance for this new technology. In conjunction with lab investigations, open field evaluations have demonstrated that DMDS when used in conjunction with EVOH-based barrier films provide for the control of the target nematodes, soil borne diseases and weeds, while minimizing the amount of DMDS released to atmosphere. The low thickness of the barrier layer (EVOH) makes the film more easily recyclable. Therefore Arkema offers the agricultural sector one complete solution for soil fumigation including product and film.


Geo Safe® TIF® series is a unique seven-layer barrier fumigation film product line; manufactured from very flexible high-strength polyethylene with an inner core of gas impermeable EVOH barrier resin. Geo Safe® soil fumigation films bring leading TIF® film technology into a common sense approach to success. As the industry moves away from methyl bromide used to control weeds, pests and diseases, the need for a totally impermeable film (TIF®) has become a necessity. Geo Safe® fumigation films provide proven performance results for both broadcast and row mulch applications. Extensive research has been conducted on Geo Safe® to assure growers repeatable and reliable performance. Results indicate that fumigant rates based on gallons per acre may be reduced by as much as 10% to 50% under Geo Safe®, while still maintaining efficacy and yields. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) buffer zones can be significantly decreased by utilizing a TIF® film to regain valuable planting acres. Geo Safe® lowers the EPA buffer zone restrictions by an impressive 60% over standard films. Utilizing Geo Safe® (TIF®) can maximize production acres significantly impacting your overall bottom line.
A herbicide coated plastic barrier film that controls noxious broadleaf and sedge weeds and reduces emissions of volatile pesticides (fumigants), which is indispensable in fruit and vegetable production has been introduced by Imaflex. ADVASEAL HSM's efficacy, simplified application features and unmatched user safety eliminates economic and environmental issues associated with common spray application. The ADVASEAL coating technology differs from Imaflex's proprietary co-extruded active ingredient releasing agricultural film technology in its ability to simultaneously release herbicide, fungicide and nematicide mixtures, a pre-condition for replacing fumigants and a processing method at ambient conditions, a basic requirement for using delicate naturally occurring plant protection products (biologicals). Raven VaporSafe® is a unique seven layer co-extruded barrier fumigation film made from very flexible high strength polyethylene and an inner core of gas impermeable EVOH barrier resin. VaporSafe® soil fumigation barriers bring leading TIF™ film technology into a common sense approach to success. As the industry moves away from methyl bromide used to control weeds, pests and diseases, the need for a totally impermeable film (TIF) has become a necessity. These fumigation films provide proven performance results for both broadcast and row mulch applications. Extensive research has been conducted on VaporSafe® fumigation barrier to assure growers repeatable and reliable performance. Results indicate that fumigant rates based on gallons per acre may be reduced by as much as 10% to 50% under VaporSafe® while still maintaining efficacy and yields.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) buffer zones can be significantly decreased by utilizing a TIF Film to regain valuable planting acres. VaporSafe® lowers the EPA Buffer Zone restrictions by an impressive 60% over standard films. Utilizing these can maximize production acres significantly impacting overall bottom line. Advantages of these films include reduce fumigant rates without loss of efficacy, uniform surface soil fumigant distribution, high fumigant retention rates, built to withstand installation duress, exceeds all current EPA standards, lower VOC emissions into the atmosphere, designed for optimal UV resistance, maximize yield performance, significantly reduces fumigant odor problems DuPont™ Plantex® Gold is an aesthetic bi-coloured, non-woven Polypropylene weed control barrier for long lasting, highly effective and chemical-free weed control even against tough weeds such as couch grass, horsetail, bindweed. This brown and black fabric allows air, water and nutrients to pass through, lets the soil and plant roots breathe while keeping the weeds underground. Plantex® Gold is ideal for application on slopes where it can be used covered as well as uncovered. The brown coloured side makes it look more natural. Plantex® Gold weed control barrier is very strong, light and versatile and will last up to 4-5 years when used uncovered. The fabric is guaranteed to last up to 25 years when covered properly. These films find application in slopes, hedges, pond edges. They offer benefits like eliminating need for chemicals, superior weed control barrier even against the toughest weeds, allows air, water and nutrients to reach the soil and plant root, offers strength and ease of installation, raises quantity and quality of crops.