Sponsored Content
building 20 years ago and were able to expand our extrusion and distribution facility.
Giovanni De Martino: We bring our enthusiasm for working on new packaging solutions to the Group to keep making our packaging better. At adapa, the spirit of research is part of our DNA, and the use of new technologies is always a top priority for the company’s management. To this end, we constantly monitor the market in order to pick up on customer needs at an early stage. CrystalPE proves us right; a decade ago, we already believed in the potential of MDO technology for PE films and invested in it.
What were the development goals, and what exactly is CrystalPE? L.B.: Our R&D team conducted intensive research into making MDO technology usable for PE. The aim was to develop an alternative to the industry’s existing print substrates and thus enable the production of Mono-PE packaging designed for recycling (D4R). CrystalPE is our answer to the requirements of the food industry and consumers for recyclable packaging, even for sensitive products. Our MDO-PE is part of a packaging solution that represents a real alternative to non- recyclable multi-material films. G.D.M.: The MDO-PE film is manufactured according to a special formulation that makes it
possible to produce mono-material PE laminates. This means that our films are purely made from PE, which makes them a viable alternative to biaxially orientated PET or PP films. It allows converters to offer their customers single-material packaging solutions designed for recycling that meet the high demands of the food industry in terms of quality and functionality, for instance for the safe packaging of sensitive foods such as cheese or coffee. MDO-PE is suitable for the production of all standard packaging formats, such as stand-up pouches, flowpacks and lidding films. Thanks to its rigidity and excellent machinability, the material can replace the print substrates in PET/PE, OPP/ PE or OPA/PE structures that are normally used for demanding and flexible packaging. The transparent film is also highly resistant to heat and can be printed with ease using all common printing processes. Overall, CrystalPE thus extends the possible uses of PE laminates to applications that were previously not considered feasible with PE.
How did you succeed in developing MDO-PE/ CrystalPE using this sophisticated technology? G.D.M.: Stretching films has been a common practise for a long time. But stretching polyethylene? Now that was treading new ground. We worked on the formulation for five years, looking for the perfect PE compound and how to process it with
the existing technology. We got help along the way; not only could we rely on 50 years of experience in extrusion technology, but we were also able to tap into the expertise of our customers’ converters and various machine manufacturers and raw material suppliers. We did all the development work without any guarantee that the market would accept the product and the project would pay off, but we were utterly convinced that we could create a modern product with this technology that resonates with customers. During the long development phase, we have continued to refine the properties of the films and take pride in having mastered this manufacturing process thanks to our expertise of many years. We have now found the ideal formulation; a high-quality MDO PE film that perfectly combines performance, appearance and design for recycling.
L.B.: The result is a unique product that can be used for many different applications. One of the most successful applications is the production of stand-up pouches, but it is also used to produce flowpacks and lidding films for trays, for example. The film can even be used on high-speed gravure printing systems as it can withstand processing speeds of up to 600 m/ min thanks to its high stiffness and tensile strength. Its excellent temperature resistance also enables a large sealing window during final packaging. The broad
44
March 2024
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
