Coating and Laminating
Innovating packaging with high performance coatings for mono material structures
Ryo Maeda, technical manager new business development, Sun Chemical I
n recent years, the demand for food packaging materials has been growing at an annual rate of about 5 percent, driven by evolving consumer lifestyles and increasing awareness of food safety. For packaging converters operating in key markets such as Japan, Europe, the United States and China, compliance with stringent regulations like the US FDA and European PIM is crucial. Beyond regulatory requirements, the industry is shifting towards resin designs that accommodate solvent-free inks and adhesives, enabling more sustainable and high-performance packaging solutions.
To support converters in meeting these challenges, Sun Chemical has developed unique polyester polyols with exceptional adhesion to PET fi lms. Additionally, the company also off ers a range of water-based polyurethane resin
primers, marketed under the ‘HYDRAN’ trade name, which can enhance adhesion across various coatings and adhesives, providing a reliable solution for next-generation packaging. Plastic packaging remains an essential material worldwide, with consumption expected to rise, particularly in emerging markets. However, the growing issue of plastic waste has intensified the push towards mono-material packaging, which simplifies recycling but often compromises functional performance. Packaging converters are increasingly exploring alternatives to PET films, shifting towards more challenging substrates such as PP and PE films. The key challenge is maintaining critical properties such as adhesion, heat resistance and barrier performance in single-material structures. To address these needs, Sun Chemical has
introduced the HYDRAN SC-series, a newly developed line of water-based polyurethane resin primers designed specifi cally for PP and PE fi lms. These primers strike the right balance between hardness and fl exibility, delivering superior adhesion while ensuring compatibility with solvent-based and water-based inks and adhesives. For instance, HYDRAN SC-106, a polyurethane dispersion, enhances adhesion on PE and PP fi lms, overcoming their natural limitations compared to PET.
For PET applications, the HYDRAN AP-series, including HYDRAN AP-201, offers a high-performance solution that improves surface properties and adhesion for various coatings. Compared to conventional primers, the HYDRAN AP-series provides a higher surface tension after application, ensuring stronger bonding with inks and adhesives. Both the HYDRAN SC-series and AP-series can be formulated with crosslinking agents such as melamine resins, carbodiimide resins, and polyisocyanate resins. Additionally, Sun Chemical offers a range of hardeners, including HYDRORENE, which further enhances film durability and performance when combined with HYDRAN-based primers. This flexibility allows converters to tailor coatings for specific packaging requirements, ensuring optimal performance across diverse substrates. As packaging converters navigate the evolving landscape of regulatory compliance, sustainability and functional performance, Sun Chemical remains committed to delivering cutting-edge coating solutions. Sun Chemical’s HYDRAN SC-series and AP-series provide practical, high-performance options for converters looking to enhance adhesion, improve recyclability and optimise packaging performance in mono-material structures.
To learn more about how HYDRAN can enhance your packaging solutions, contact Sun Chemical at
https://www.sunchemical. com/contact-us/
16
March 2025
www.convertermag.com
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 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
