MATERIALS | BIAX FILM
Recycling without separation – or failure to
Above: Toppan inaugurated a new Brueckner BOPP line, at subsidiary Irplast, in September
Future challenges include: minimising the 2-sigma thickness variation; increasing output rates; adding in-line functionality; and raising barrier performance. “This will require further resin and process innovation,” he said.
Simultaneous BOPE can be used in barrier
packaging, he said, as resins are taken through heating and stretching cycles – with the process converting large crystal into increasingly small crystals that boost tear strength. PE-rich shrink film can provide stiffness and toughness combined with superior optics, while lidding film can incorporate barrier layers in all PE structures to lengthen shelf life, he said.
Compatible technology Compatibilisers can be critical when recycling multi-material film. Mohammed Abdus Salam, technical service
representative at Ingenia, told delegates there is an urgent need to recycle film, not least due to impending legislation such as PPWR. However, the task is not easy. “The recycling industry is unable to identify, sort and separate diverse films,” he said. “Polymers used in multi-layer films are immiscible.”
compatibilise – reduces recyclate quality, he said. Despite the move towards mono-material solutions, multi-layer films are still important due to their high barrier properties. When recycling such a film, a compatibiliser will reduce the particle size of the polar phase, bring uniformity to particle size distribution and increase interfacial adhesion between the non-polar matrix and polar phase. Extra antioxidant will also support repeated mechanical recycling, he said. In a recent multi- pass study, 1% IP1415 improved melt flow stability and showed colour improvement. In addition, IP1415 and 1417 provided gel and black speck protection throughout the study of highly degrad- ed material. He said that Incircle IP1601 is a novel compatibi-
lizer that “outperforms traditional maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene-type compatibilizer”. Better compatibilisation of PP/PA6/EVOH increased mechanical properties, especially the Izod impact, and improved thermal stability and processability. It also enabled recycling of PP barrier film scrap into both flexible and rigid packaging applications. n The next Biax Film event will take place in 2028 but a related event, Flexible Packaging Innovation and Recycling Europe, takes place on 24-25 November in Vienna, Austria. For more details, contact Maud Holbrook on +44 (0) 117 314 8111 (
maud.holbrook@amiplastics.com).
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.amiplastics.com �
www.forop.com �
www.brueckner.com �
www.biaxis.com �
https://advanced-packaging-association.org �
www.obengroup.com �
www.m-petfilm.de �
www.dow.com �
www.ingeniapolymers.com
Engineered to perform.
Co-rotating twin screw extruder
SML TSE 80
Specially designed for high-performance cast film and sheet extrusion lines
IMAGE: TOPPAN
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