Film Materials?Eye-Catching Versatility
January 2005
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Companies developing film materials are staying one step ahead by staying in close contact with their customers.
NEW PLASTIC FILM materials are making a big splash in the marketplace and in many instances are replacing some of the tried-and-true substrates of years past, such as paper and foil. With a variety of different uses, packagePRINTING asked a sampling of film suppliers what they see as the trends in the film material market.
Ultimate world domination
Not really, but Gretchen Adams of AET Films said films such as AET's are slowly replacing more traditional printed substrates, such as paper.
"AET Films is the only independent global supplier dedicated solely to the manufacturing of oriented polypropylene (OPP) films," she says. "These films are rapidly replacing paper, foil, rigid plastics, metal containers, and polyester wrappers."
Adams said that multi-layered structures—some fairly complex—can be developed to meet virtually any need of an end user, making OPP films a hot item in the packaging arenas. AET's products include labels for bottles and cans, packaging for confectionary and snack foods, pet foods, and holographic films for gift wrap. Other uses include specially-designed barrier films used to extend the shelf life of snack foods, cheeses, meats, and fresh produce.
Adams listed some of the characteristics of AET's OPP films: clarity, gloss, overall graphic appeal, printability, dimensional stability, protection from moisture and light, and yield cost savings over other plastic films.
The company also develops specific film products to solve targeted customer needs. SynCarta® was developed for waterproof and durable tags and labels. TOppCure® was designed for high-speed labeling on glass, plastic, or metal containers.
International Graphic Films (IGF) also has a line of polypropylene films, specifically its 1250-9 and 1250-12 self-wound performance materials. Strong enough to resist oils, acid, and gasoline, the 1250-9 has been approved for automotive battery labels. IGF's 1250-12 boasts higher abrasion resistance for prolonged exposure to the elements and diverse handling, and is perfect for problematic UV letterpress and screen printing.
Sounds corny
AET and other film material specialists such as Plastic Suppliers and BI-AX International, agree that the opportunities for films in the food industry are growing.
Barry Jones, business director for AET, says that his companies supplies a rapidly growing market for gas permeability films for use with fresh cut product and lid stock applications, namely the HORT® and HORT-2 film line. "These lines employ a proprietary technology to expand the spectrum of fresh cut products where a non-perforated OPP film lamination can by utilized. This provides the product and the consumer with an extra level of protection," Jones said.
NEW PLASTIC FILM materials are making a big splash in the marketplace and in many instances are replacing some of the tried-and-true substrates of years past, such as paper and foil. With a variety of different uses, packagePRINTING asked a sampling of film suppliers what they see as the trends in the film material market.
Ultimate world domination
Not really, but Gretchen Adams of AET Films said films such as AET's are slowly replacing more traditional printed substrates, such as paper.
"AET Films is the only independent global supplier dedicated solely to the manufacturing of oriented polypropylene (OPP) films," she says. "These films are rapidly replacing paper, foil, rigid plastics, metal containers, and polyester wrappers."
Adams said that multi-layered structures—some fairly complex—can be developed to meet virtually any need of an end user, making OPP films a hot item in the packaging arenas. AET's products include labels for bottles and cans, packaging for confectionary and snack foods, pet foods, and holographic films for gift wrap. Other uses include specially-designed barrier films used to extend the shelf life of snack foods, cheeses, meats, and fresh produce.
Adams listed some of the characteristics of AET's OPP films: clarity, gloss, overall graphic appeal, printability, dimensional stability, protection from moisture and light, and yield cost savings over other plastic films.
The company also develops specific film products to solve targeted customer needs. SynCarta® was developed for waterproof and durable tags and labels. TOppCure® was designed for high-speed labeling on glass, plastic, or metal containers.
International Graphic Films (IGF) also has a line of polypropylene films, specifically its 1250-9 and 1250-12 self-wound performance materials. Strong enough to resist oils, acid, and gasoline, the 1250-9 has been approved for automotive battery labels. IGF's 1250-12 boasts higher abrasion resistance for prolonged exposure to the elements and diverse handling, and is perfect for problematic UV letterpress and screen printing.
Sounds corny
AET and other film material specialists such as Plastic Suppliers and BI-AX International, agree that the opportunities for films in the food industry are growing.
Barry Jones, business director for AET, says that his companies supplies a rapidly growing market for gas permeability films for use with fresh cut product and lid stock applications, namely the HORT® and HORT-2 film line. "These lines employ a proprietary technology to expand the spectrum of fresh cut products where a non-perforated OPP film lamination can by utilized. This provides the product and the consumer with an extra level of protection," Jones said.
Companies Mentioned:
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