TPE moves forward in easy peel film applications

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are advancing towards a wider application in the pharmaceutical and packaging sectors. This was the message of the presentation by Vincent Liao, Sales Manager of Ever Polymer Co., Ltd. (Everlon), a leading TPE supplier for a wide range of industry applications, during the 2023 ASEAN Food & Beverage Manufacturing Summit – Ingredients, Processing, Packaging and Automation held on May 23 - 24, 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Mr. Liao shared some key points from this presentation to International Plastics News for Asia, citing how TPE materials are transforming food and pharmaceutical packaging with easy peel film application.

Ever Polymer Co., Ltd. (Everlon) offers TPE materials under the brand names EVERLON^®, EVERTON^® , EVERPRENE^® , EVERMedi^®, EVERSeal^® and EVERAuto^®.  TPE materials have become increasingly being tapped due to their versatility, flexibility and durability making them ideal solution for an expanded range of industry applications, especially in food and pharmaceutical packaging.  Mr. Liao also stressed that TPE materials have become increasingly popular for packaging companies looking to develop convenient and sustainable packaging solution.

In your presentation, you cited some unique properties of TPEs that make them ideal for diverse industry requirements.

Mr. Liao: The flexibility and suitability of TPEs to meet the requirements of various industries were part of my presentation and I pointed out that different TPEs materials with variety of properties provided plenty of modification options to develop formulations to fit the requirements from high end applications. Moreover, TPE materials can easily undergo a wide range of operating processes, overcoming economic concerns by offering cost-competitive solutions for such industry applications as automotive, medical field, consumer goods and packaging.

At present, there are different types of TPEs that are available in the market, such as styrenic block copolymers (TPE-s or TPS compounds based on SBS, SEBS), polyolefin blends (TPE-O or TPO), thermoplastic vulcanized alloys (TPE-V or TPV), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPE-U or TPU), thermoplastic polyether ester elastomer (TPE-E or TPC), and thermoplastic polyamides (TPE-A or TPA), among others. 

How would you describe the current trends in the easy peel film technology and its acceptability in the food and medical sectors?

Mr. Liao: In the area of easy peel film technology, the growing popularity of this type of packaging is due to its advantages. Easy peel film enables soft peeling characteristics for easy removal from container surface, while being non-sticky and residue-free. It can be processed under wide range of heat sealing temperatures for various packaging applications and provides options for customizable multilayer films. Easy peel film technology has been known for its reliable performance with good balance between peeling strength and sealing temperatures and is compatible with common sterilization techniques for safe handling and storage of contents as well as its compatibility with common container manufacturing materials such as PP, PE, PS, PET. Moreover, it complies with FDA regulations for food packaging safety standards.

Easy peel films are now being applied for food and medical device packaging. In the food industry, common uses of easy peel films are for the packaging of yogurt, water, milk, juice, edible oil, ketchup, seasonings and sauce. In the medical packaging sector, easy peel film is being applied in medicines as well as in medical devices such as Euro cap, catheters and tubing, surgical instruments, dental products and diagnostic kits. The medical packaging serves as a product protector, from sterilization to final use and in this aspect, peelable pouch and film can be opened easily with normal effort. These are available with oxygen, moisture and aroma barrier, finding major applications in frozen foods, pharmaceutical & food packaging.  

What Everlon solution is geared towards the easy peel film application?   

Mr. Liao: Easy peel films are among the most innovative product offerings for packaging companies, especially in the food and medical industries.  The trend towards easy peel films is driven by the need for safe and economical alternatives to conventional rigid plastic films. TPE materials used in the production of easy peel films comply with industry regulations and standards. Also, easy peel films can be customized to fit unique market requirements, including dimensions and printing options. The easy peel feature of the films allows for safe and residue-free handling by consumers.  

More importantly, my presentation included multilayer film opening mechanism and Everlon’s easy peel solution and testing. The Everlon easy peel film design as shown included PET film layer with adhesive lamination and layer of LDPE, then Everlon easy peel layer for cohesive peeling, after which another layer of LDPE. This results in low peeling force with peeling mark appearance for even sealing without leakage.  Peeling mark analysis also indicated stringing free, tacky free and smooth surface with no residue on both sides, heat sealing layer and adherent layer. 

The presentation also discussed the Everlon moisture absorption material and film. How would you differentiate this from traditional material in terms of its capability to absorb moisture?

Mr. Liao: The impact of Everlon’s TPE on moisture absorption was highlighted in the presentation. Traditional moisture absorbing agent is usually desiccant (silica gel) that was packed into a pouch and put together with the product. As I pointed out, defective packaging of silica gel pouch will cause silica gel being scattered and spread out getting into contact with the product, thus resulting in product contamination that could affect consumer safety, especially for food and pharmaceutical products. Also, packaging of desiccant in pouch with the product requires manpower and occupies spaces in product packages.

Everlon Moisture Absorption Material is a product of the company’s research and development efforts to develop a high functional performance Moisture Absorption Material, for plastic blow film, film casting processing, extrusion and plastic processing methods. Everlon combined moisture absorption features into plastic granules (such as LDPE, PP) for easy processing of film. The film itself absorbs moisture and does not require desiccant (silica gel) in pouch. Moreover, the film has excellent absorption ability of moisture, and combined with the variety design on film structure, it offers moisture absorption property for long period of time. Applications for moisture absorption film includes food packaging (such as for dried food, snacks), medicine and pharmaceutical products (for tablets PTP sheet), electronics and semiconductor (for camera, handphone), and other products (for safe box, shoes, clothing, etc.)

Everlon Moisture Absorption Material is designed for improved drug/medicine stability as the film material effectively absorbs moisture, maintaining the efficiency and extending the shelf life of drugs and medicines. Unlike using silica gel, accidental consumption is avoided. It is also compatible with existing processes as the film can be heat sealed, coated, laminated, and undergo common secondary processes for plastic film without requiring additional equipment investment. The material is produced under stringent environment as it is produced in a Cleanroom 100,000 environment, ensuring material safety and cleanliness. It also enables the elimination of silica gel pouch as our customers no longer need to purchase and use silica gel pouches that can risk damaging the product and having silica particles contaminate it. The material is compliant with FDA regulations. 

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