Flexible packaging composites

A flexible film, sheet, or semi-rigid material for use as a primary or secondary packaging material or insulating structure including a plurality of layers, comprising:

• at least one non-mineral-containing layer selected from the group consisting of polymer based extruded resins, cast films and blown films, molded plastic, cast plastic, extruded plastic, drawn plastic, laminated flexible plastic, paper, fiber, and combinations thereof, with any non-fiber layer having a modulus of elasticity either in flexure or in tension of less 70 MPa (10,000 psi) at 23° C. and 50% relative humidity, and with any non-rigid plastic layer having a modulus of elasticity either in the flexure or in tension of not more than 700 kilograms per square centimeter (10,000 psi) at 23° C. and 50% RH when tested in accordance with the Method of Test for Stiffness of Plastics by Means of a Cantilever Beam (ASTM D747), the Method of Test for Tensile Properties of Plastics (ASTM D-47), The Method of Test for Tensile Properties of Plastics (ASTM D638), or the Methods for Test for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting (ASTM D882);
• and
• at least one mineral-containing layer bonded to said at least one non-mineral-containing layer, said at least one mineral-containing layer containing a thermoplastic bonding agent in an amount of about 15-30% by weight and a mineral material that is present in an amount of about 70-85% by weight, said mineral-containing layer being a heat sealable layer of said printable flexible film composite and an external surface of said mineral-containing layer providing an external, printable surface of said flexible film composite, wherein the mineral-containing layer have a basis weight from about 30 to about 900 g/m2, in the form of rolls and sheets that are unblended within the composite comprising at least 3% by weight of the entire composite structure, a density between 0.4 to 1.2 g/m3, calipers between 0.5 mil and 40 mil, and wherein said mineral material being selected from the group consisting of ground calcium carbonate, diatomaceous earth, mica, silica, glass, zeolytes, slate, and combinations thereof, said mineral-containing layer continuously bonded, across a contact surface of the flexible or semi-rigid containing layers, said at least one mineral-containing layer having a TAPPI T-525 whiteness percentage of at least 84, a TAPPI T-480 gloss value of at least 6, a TAPPI T-425 opacity percentage of at least 83, a TAPPI-555 roughness value of 3, a TAPPI T-527 surface resistance of 1011, and achieving a dyne level of at least 42.