Raising protection performance in film packaging

The past three years saw major structural change in the global film industry with the emergence of major companies in Asia. Today’s broad selection of packaging options has created a lot of cost-reduction possibilities for manufacturers even whilst they address the need for performance and sustainability. At interpack , Jindal Films, a leading manufacturer of specialty oriented polypropylene (OPP) films for flexible packaging and labeling applications, launched three new films. The company has affiliated production plants in Europe (Virton, Belgium; Kerkrade, The Netherlands; and Brindisi, Italy), and in the United States (LaGrange, Georgia; and Shawnee, Oklahoma). It also has affiliates with sales offices to support customer needs in countries around the world, including North America, Europe and Asia.

Jindal Films has introduced Metallyte MM688 oriented polypropylene (OPP film), a metallised, surface printable monoweb solution with a broad seal range and operating window for demanding high and variable speed horizontal form fill and seal (HFFS) packaging applications. The film features a very low temperature seal (VLTS) coating on one side and a printable, over-coated metallised surface on the other. This provides consistent machinability and a good print surfacefor graphics, whilst maintaining moisture, flavour and aroma barriers to keep products tasting and smelling fresh.

“This solvent-free, water-based film technology delivers outstanding packaging and protection performance in a single film,” said Laurent Chantraine, business development manager at Jindal Films. “This provides manufacturers with opportunities to replace laminated structures and reduce packaging weight without sacrificing barrier protection.” It is well suited to HFFS packaging of biscuits & baked goods, snack crackers, sweet & chocolate confectionaries, especially “good-for-you”, healthy choice, portion- or calorie-control food packaging formats. Household, health and beauty aid and personal care products can also benefit from the outstanding packaging performance of the film.

The film exhibits a high gloss, brilliant metal appearance which, combined with its stiffness,provides high brand visibility and shelf appeal. Metallyte MM688 OPP film is recommended for surface printing on the acrylic side or unprinted in monoweb applications. The stable slip and outstanding seal properties of the coatings used in Metallyte MM688 OPP film enable high HFFS speeds for excellent packaging line performance. The low minimum seal temperature provides a broad operating window for robust packaging performance on variable speed equipment.The film can withstand HFFS packaging lines where either accurate heat control is a problem or dwell times may vary due to frequent machine speed changes.

Improved output of squeezable films

Another new product introduced by Jindal Films is the white Label-Lyte 52LLC247, a new lightweight oriented polyolefin (PO) film offering excellent converting characteristics, conformability and flexibility for pressure sensitive label (PSL) applications. The conformability and squeezability of this robust film allows the label to remain intact and appear new even after multiple squeezes of the container. The printable surface enables point-of-sale impact to be enhanced for a wide range of products including health and beauty care, household products, beverages, canistered or bottled food.

The conformability of Label-Lyte 52LLC247 film allows high-quality tailored designs that reduce wrinkling and darting of the labels, even after the container is repeatedly squeezed. The film is compatible with multiple print technologies including metalized inks, hot stamp and cold foil decoration, and displays excellent white gloss for an enhanced look.

The film is engineered to improve overall output with consistent web handling, reduced curl and die cutting advantages. Excellent “layflat” and high speed matrix stripping help optimise film speed, lower scrap rates and reduce reworking of labeled containers. “This new white conformable flm delivers consistent performance throughout the entire life cycle of the product,” said Kevin Frydryk, global market development manager, Labels, Jindal Films. “Brand owners can set apart their products and boost point-ofsale impact by choosing different shaped containers, knowing the end user can repeatedly squeeze them and the label will look like new.”

A multi-functional PSL labeling solution, lightweight Label-Lyte 52LLC247 film is part of a family of conformable flms that also includes clear conformable Label-Lyte 52LLC210. These films can reduce material consumption, and as polyolefns, are recyclable through existing polyolefn recycling channels. Label-Lyte 52LLC210 film is a lightweight oriented polyolefin film which offers excellent converting characteristics, conformability and fexibility for pressure sensitive label (PSL) applications. Robust and clear, the conformability and squeezability of Label-Lyte 52LLC210 flm enables brand owners to enhance point-of-sale impact, encouraging consumer “pick-up.” The conformability of Label-Lyte 52LLC210 film allows high-quality tailored designs that reduce wrinkling and darting of the labels, even after the container is repeatedly squeezed. The film is compatible with multiple print technologies including metalized inks, hot stamp and cold foil decoration, and displays excellent clarity and gloss for an enhanced “no-label” look. Another film type, Label-Lyte 65LT500 thermal transfer (TTR) flm delivers high yield for improved economics and wide ranging print and adhesive performance. Exhibiting a matte white finish, LabelLyte65LT500 thermal transfer film is designed for demanding pressure sensitive label (PSL) and tag applications. These include consumer durables, automotive, household chemicals and detergents, pharmaceutical, retail shelf marking (barcodes), plumbing and other industrial applications. Compared to widely used 75 micron, and higher, materials, Label-Lyte 65LT500 film provides a significant yield improvement, enhanced quality and consistent print surface appearance. higher yield results in more film footage per roll for fewer machine change-overs, more run time and less waste.

Stand-up pouch application

Another product, Bicor 50 SuP 490 is the first biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP)-based sealant film for stand-up pouch applications. The new film offers excellent stiffness for stand-up display, high transparency for optimum visibility, and outstanding moisture barrier, whilst providing opportunities for downgauging compared to blown linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE) or cast polypropylene (CPP) alternatives.

Bicor 50 SuP 490 OPP film combines Jindal Films’ breakthrough sealant technology with a modifed core to provide excellent puncture resistance in stand-up pouch packaging applications. It also provides outstanding clarity to showcase products and maximise retail display opportunities. The film is well-suited to food and non-food packaging applications including confectionary, snacks, powders and dry mixes, dried fruit and nuts, and pet treats. This robust film provides at least twice as much moisture barrier as traditional blown LLDPE, LDPE, or CPP sealants at comparable thickness. It provides manufacturers with the opportunity to downgauge the inside sealant web of the pouch whilst maintaining or improving product protection.

“This new film is an excellent choice for the inside sealant web in stand-up pouch applications,” said Laurent Chantraine, business development manager, Jindal Films. “Improved barrier performance with less material, combined with excellent stiffness and transparency, allows producers to showcase their products while improving both sustainability and product protection.”

The film delivers high transparency to showcase products inside the stand-up pouch. It also provides at least twice as much stiffness as traditional blown LLDPE, LDPE, or CPP sealants at comparable thickness,enabling excellent “stand up” performance and appeal on the store shelf. Because there is less bulk for heat transfer when forming seals, the flm allows faster flling speeds on packaging equipment.