Labelling Solutions
Innovia Films invests in the future of labelling
By Simon Huber, managing director, Innovia UK, Poland and Germany. I
nnovia Films (Innovia) is part of the CCL Group and are a major producer of highly differentiated speciality films.
They have recognised the significant growth opportunities with films within the European market. Especially for low-density products as the topic of sustainable packaging is becoming more and more important.
Innovia recently announced the opening of the world’s first dedicated production line for sustainable and floatable shrink sleeve film at their site in Płock, Poland.
The 6.2m multi-layer co-extrusion line will be dedicated to the manufacture of low-density polyolefin shrink film for shrink sleeve labels and tamper evident applications.
The new capacity will allow us to supply label and sleeve converters with high-quality floatable shrink sleeve material that has the potential to revolutionise the market and the way packaging is decorated to move towards more sustainable choices.
RayoFloat APO is a clear, uncoated shrink film that floats, as its density is <0.93 g/cm³. RayoFloat film is also glossy, scuff resistant and printable, with a controlled TD shrinkage up to 70%.
They make the difference in the crucial sink/float recycling step at PET, HDPE and PP recyclers. Because the films floats, this allows for a clean separation from the heavier flakes that sink to the bottom of the washing tanks. This easy separation forms the basis of the yield of high-quality flakes that can be used in bottle-to-bottle and container recycling process, closing the loop. RayoFloat has been endorsed by the European PET Bottle Platform EPBP.
Günther Birkner, member of the management team at CCL and president of Innovia states “Brands are increasingly following Design for Recycling guidelines and are re-creating their packaging to meet recycling targets. Labels can make a huge difference here; the functional properties of label materials can support recyclability and re-usability. This investment in Poland will significantly increase capacity in polyolefin shrink films. Through our global network of CCL Label sites, we can convert the recycling-friendly material into EcoFloat sleeves.”
EcoFloat is mainly for use within the Food, Beverage and Home & Personal Care industries.
They allow full 360° branding, allowing more creativity using graphics and bright colours, allowing the product to stand out on the shelf. The sleeve can shrink to a range of generic container shapes and the film can be used on a wide variety of packaging materials like glass, plastic or cans.
With ‘Design for Recycling’ and the increasing use of recycled content in packaging, shrink sleeves also offer new benefits. They can ‘mask’ possible imperfections of the (recycled) material of bottles and other containers – thus enabling flawless marketing whilst at the same time enabling the use of more recycled materials – to close the loop for packaging.
“This investment is part of our commitment to boost plastic recycling and take steps towards a circular economy as stated when we signed the Global Commitment of the New Plastics Economy led by the Ellen MacArthur foundation. In future, governments will set targets for recycling rates in municipal waste. Reaching these will not be feasible without investing in new technologies for packaging materials that support ‘Design for Recycling’. EcoFloat fulfills the requirements as defined in packaging design guidelines,” concluded Mr Birkner.
Another significant expansion at Innovia plant near Leipzig in Germany was announced. A new 8-metre-wide multi-layer co-extrusion line will produce highly engineered thin gauge label films to support growing, sustainability driven demand for lower resin content materials. The new technology is unique for label films, with 36,000 tons of annual capacity designed for best-in-class energy efficiency. Production will commence in the second half of 2024.
L-r: Giuseppe Ronzoni, head project manager, Simon Huber, managing director Innovia, Günther Birkner, president, CCL Label Food & Beverage, Healthcare & Specialty and Innovia, Oliver Dirmeier general manager Innovia Films Poland.
We see significant growth opportunities with films for Pressure Sensitive Labels and plan to use our existing assets in the UK for top coated products and new initiatives, especially in the Commercial Graphics & Signage sector. The new line in Germany will supply thinner films for the label market, close to where many customers are located.
Xwww.innoviafilms.com
30
July/August 2022
www.convertermag.com
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