Multilayer Packaging Films 2013

The conference tackles evolving packaging standards, safety and sustainability in the supply chain
AS DEMAND grows worldwide for food and pharmaceuticals, safety and sustainability are the hot topics, particularly in Europe where the legislative impact on the industry is growing. Packaging is becoming more sophisticated and tailored to the market requirements.
In this sector, industry players are more aware of issues regarding sustainability in the supply chain, as well as the critical factor of safety in food contact, which is studied in terms of levels of extractables and leachables in European standards. Barilla, the Italian food supplier, for example, has taken particular care with food contact issues and assists in leading the Italian Packaging Institute on this matter. Likewise, economics of production is considered, with budgets tight across the globe.

AMI has reviewed the markets in flexible packaging and will be presenting some of the data at the upcoming specialty conference on Multilayer Packaging Films, which takes place in Imperial Riding School Renaissance Hotel in Vienna, Austria from 18 – 20 November 2013.
This forum will bring together flexible packaging manufacturers, packaging experts and the industry supply chain, to continue the debate on enhancing performance, safety and shelf-life whilst reducing environmental impact.

The better the barrier, the longer the shelf-life will be for perishable foodstuffs. BASF has recently announced an increase in production of polyamide for packaging, which is a very high barrier material, whilst Reliance in India has studied nanocomposites for this purpose, and Nippon Gohsei has brought a biodegradable gas barrier polymer to the market. The adhesive interlayer is critical to holding the film structure together and companies such as Yparex are supplying these materials.

Intertek has looked at multi-material films in terms of compliance with food-contact legislation. Polyram has specifically studied the effects of migration of additives on adhesion and Fabes Forschungs measures migration in its laboratories. Sealing is an important function in many applications and Dow Europe has made this a particular focus from the material side, whilst the Technical University of Dresden has studied the effects of multilayer structures on ultrasonic sealing.
Innovia has led the field in the production of bio-based performance films. Others are working on sustainable options from the view of recycling: Aliplast includes a recyclate layer and NGR Recyclingmaschinen has systems for recycling scrap multilayer film. By toughening up its metallocene polyolefins, Total offers a stronger material that can be used at lower gauges, reducing material use.