Tougher, lighter PP film for modified atmosphere packaging

14-Dec-2009 - Last updated on 15-Dec-2009 at 13:14 GMT

Related tags Packaging

A new polypropylene (PP) food packaging film offers greater temperature resistance, improved transparency and significant lightweighting opportunities, said manufacturers Borealis.

The main applications for the Borpact BC918CF PP copolymer for packaging film and sheet are modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) trays for food packaging as well as film for stand up pouches (SUP) and labels, a company spokeswoman told FoodProductionDaily.com

Performance and lightweighting

The product has a high level of heat and impact resistance, as well as a high gloss and low haze appearance. This high toughness converts into minimal low-temperature brittleness in finished products.

“This is particularly important for items stored at low temperatures such as MAP trays for various chilled foods, including fruits and meats,” said a Borealis statement. “An optimal balance of easy tear, stiffness and good aesthetics make the new grade ideal for retortable stand-up pouches, label films and carrier layers for peelable lidding films.”

The performance benefits offered by the product “translate into processing benefits for packaging processors”, particularly in terms of downgauging. Borealis said compared to alternative transparent map trays with mono-layer, mono-material structures which are used in a chilled environment the Borpact BC918CF can result in lightweighting and cost reductions reaching 20 per cent.

It also leads to simplified tray structures and benefits in using regrind materials. There is a further reduction in complexity as the new film is suitable for TF as well as blown film and cast film processes. This means tray and lidding films can be produced with the same product, added the spokeswoman.

Approval

The incorporation of a new additive package means it complies with all European and US food contact regulations.

Albin Mariacher, product manager film and fibre, said: “Borealis’ advanced Borpact innovation enables production of film and sheet with unique combinations of high quality aesthetics and mechanical properties that will provide new solutions to the challenges facing the packaging industry.”

He added: “We are sure Borpact BC918CF’s compliance to European - and now

also US food regulations - will take polypropylene into new application areas.”