BARRIER FILM | MATERIALS


PE-rich At the later Multilayer Flexpack conference in Chicago, USA, Martin Antensteiner and Anvit Gupta of ExxonMobil explained how its materials can be used to create polyethylene-rich barrier films. In their presentation, they said a total of 2.5 million tonnes of materials are used in flexible packaging globally. The main material is PE (accounting for 59%), while the main use is for meat packaging (accounting for nearly two-thirds of applications). This was used for lidding films, vacuum/shrink bags, MAP/CAP bags, thermoform- ing webs and skin packaging, in order of volume. One potential challenge, they said, was the


recycling of polyamide-containing barrier film – as it has a higher melting point than polyolefins and has a “compatibility challenge”. “Typical flexible barrier films contain 10-45%


PA,” they said. EVOH, they said, can provide a similar oxygen barrier while being easier to recycle. The presenters pointed to a number of Exxon- Mobil materials – such as Exceed, Exceed XP and Enable – that can be used to create PE-rich barrier packaging. They cited one example of a potential


thermoformable barrier film with reduced PA content – for 180-micron cast film. Here, a reference grade – with 26% wt PA and 5% wt EVOH – can be reformulated, creating a film with 15% wt PA and 5.5% wt EVOH, using layers of Exceed and Exceed XP to add toughness, sealing performance and puncture resistance. The film can be thermoformed, offering a 40%


reduction in PA layer thickness. A second formulation created similar film but


with no PA. Here, the EVOH barrier layer consti- tuted 5.6% wt, but the structure used more of ExxonMobil’s PE grades. It could be used for deep-draw thermoforming and was comparable with earlier versions. “Our latest performance polymers allow the


creation of PE-rich solutions without compromising on package integrity, optics or machinability,” they said. “Exceed XP 8346, Exceed 3812 and Exceed 4536 can provide a combination of thermoformabil- ity, stiffness, and needle puncture performance.” n The next Multilayer Flexpack conference runs in Chicago, USA on 21-22 May 2025. For more details, contact Carole Charrade on +1 610 478 0800 (carole.charrade@amiplastics.com).


Now in Partnership with:


Plastic Materials Handling Solution Buying & selling used plastic processing machinery to every corner of the globe Online Weighing & Dosing System in Film industry SHEET LINES


Loss-in-weight weighing system for multiple materials Modular design with flexible assembly Compact size


PIPE/PROFILE


1900mm Omam SML sheet line


THERMOFORMING


1800mm Wide Kuhne Coextrusion Sheet Line


PELLETISING


GRANULATORS


1040mm wide Welex 3 roll polishing stack


EXTRUDERS Get in Touch SHEET DIES


T: +44 (0)1793 827666 E: sales@transxl.co.uk W: www.transxl.co.uk


sales@transxl.co.uk


GUANGDONG LIANSU MACHINERY MANUFACTURING CO.,LTD. www.mconvey.com


info@liansu.com info@liansu.com


1650mm wide Welex coextrusion sheet line


Booth：8F45 & 12F01


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44