 "Uflex engineers thinnest PET AlOx speciality film for packaging")
The flexible packaging materials and solution company Uflex Limited has launched 9.5 micron speciality AlOx (aluminium oxide) polyester film, flexaloxprotect F-PGX. The company claims that the new film, engineered by its wholly-owned subsidiary company Flex Americas SA de CV at the Mexico plant, is the thinnest PET AlOx film available globally. “Despite being the leanest, the 9.5 micron AlOx polyester film exhibits excellent barrier for oxygen and water vapour. No player other than Uflex offers such a thin PET ALOx speciality film with such superior barrier properties,” said the company.
There is a growing demand for transparent flexible packaging that allows retail customers to see-through and check the quality of the product packed inside to their satisfaction. Conventionally metalised films have been used to impart enhanced barrier properties to laminates, but metallisation renders the film opaque. The PET AlOx film can offer yet better barrier properties while still being transparent.
Being a down-gauged film Flexaloxprotect F-PGX is 24 percent lighter than its 12.5 micron variant and almost 60 percent lighter than the 23.5 micron variant. Furthermore, the price coordinates are better and so is the yield. While the 12.5 micron AlOx film has a yield of 57.14 sq m per kg and the 23.5 micron film has a yield of 30.4 sq m per kg, the 9.5 micron speciality AlOx film yields 75.18 sq m per kg. This brings major cost savings for the converters. The fact that the film is transparent and demonstrates good barrier properties, the need for a sandwich (barrier) layer which is typically a metallised film is completely eliminated. The PET AlOx film can be reverse printed and then laminated with a sealing substrate. Depending upon the barrier properties required by the product to be packed, AlOx coated films can be used in 2-ply structures right up-to multi-layered laminates.
The Flexaloxprotect F-PGX PET AlOx film complies with EC and FDA regulations for food contact and finds extensive use in manufacturing laminates used for packing dried meat, fresh food, snacks, confectionery, microwavable foods, retort convenience food, cheese, baked goods, drinks, pharmaceutical and medical products.
Speaking about this new development, Ashok Chaturvedi, chairman and managing director, Uflex Limited, said, “We pay a lot of emphasis on sustainable innovation. Development of Flexaloxprotect F-PGX is a classic example of the same. The film is down-gauged yet it offers superior barrier properties and machinability. Development of such efficient packaging films enhances the value proposition for converters, brands and the end consumers alike. It is a win-win.”