Innovia launches new high speed BOPP Film

Packaging Solutions

Innovia recognises that today's competitive market demands packaging films that perform on a variety of machines, at the highest possible speeds. As overall production costs are scrutinised, achieving high efficiencies is becoming increasingly vital. In response to these trends, the company has now introduced its latest high speed Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) film – Propafilm Ref.

This new coextruded material compliments their already well established range of high speed materials and increases the options for its customers.

Propafilm Ref was designed with speed in mind. The product presents a wide sealing range, when compared to standard coextruded films. At typical laboratory conditions, scientists have been able to confirm over 30°C lower heat seal threshold (the minimum temperature required to achieve acceptable seal strength of 200 g/25 mm) compared to basic films.

In addition to the wide seal range, this film also provides an enhanced hot tack performance over standard films. This means that the seals, when pulled still hot, resist opening on a larger range of temperatures. Combined, these two properties enable Propafilm Ref to be ideally suited to horizontal form fill wrapping applications.

Innovia has been able to validate its laboratory findings with actual packaging machinery trials. SPS Italiana Pack systems (PFM Group), was one of the partners chosen to confirm the film's performance. ‘We were asked by Innovia Films to confirm the performance of its new film on our machinery. We ran Propafilm Ref on our Modulo machine and we can confirm that speeds of 80 metres per minute were achieved, a substantial 30 metres per minute improvement. At these speeds, the film was still passing our stringent micro-hole acceptance level,’ said Roberto Spatolisano, project manager from SPS.

Amaia Cowan, market development manager, Innovia Films, commented: ‘Whilst speed is important to our customers, efficiencies are just as critical. Minimising rejects and maximising outputs remain an important objective for many of our clients. Propafilm Ref can contribute to these targets. With its higher COF in the inner surface of the film, product movement within the pack can be reduced during the feeding stages, protecting seal damage and allowing good pack integrity to be maintained. Strong seals are achieved every time.’

This film, besides offering excellent machinability, also provides excellent clarity for visual impact and good moisture barrier for product protection. It is suited to a variety of applications and markets such as biscuits and bakery, confectionery, dried foods, tea and cosmetics.