BASF starts up new test line for packaging films

BASF has started up a tailor-made polyamide coextrusion line for packaging and technical films at its Ludwigshafen site, where it plans to collaborate with customers from the film industry to develop new applications for Ultramid? polyamides. The line will also be used for research, product development and material testing for Ultramid film products.

The line can produce cast and blown films with up to seven layers. The size and flexible configuration of the combined system enable it to simulate production conditions. The line is ideal for the production of test quantities and application testing for new film products.

"Ultramid helps our customers to develop increasingly sophisticated film structures," says Hermann Althoff, senior vice president of BASF's Global Polyamide & Intermediates Business Unit. "The new coextrusion line will enable us to develop new film applications for specific market needs in partnership with our customers."

Polyamide coextrusion line: With the tailor-made 7-layer coextrusion line new Ultramid? packaging films can be developed Photo © BASF

The line can be used for cast or blown films depending on the requirements. It extrudes symmetrical and asymmetrical films 20μm to 250μm thick and up to 750mm wide at a speed of up to 50 meters per minute. Blown films can be air-cooled and additionally cooled with water if required. Cast films are cooled on a chill roll with an adjustable temperature of between 20°C and 130°C.

Using Ultramid in flexible packaging solutions means that less packaging material is needed. At the same time, optimum protection is provided for the product and helps to increase shelf life. Reductions in the amount of packaging material used also help protect the environment and saves money.

BASF is the leading supplier of high-quality polyamides and polyamide intermediates for technical plastics, films, fibers and monofilaments with Ultramid production plants in Ludwigshafen, Antwerp Freeport (Texas/USA) and S?o Paulo. Its product range includes Ultramid B (polyamide 6), Ultramid C (polyamide 6/6.6 copolymer) and Ultramid A (polyamide 6.6).