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Innovia Films Spotlights Future Developments
Date: 18 April 2005
The Innovia Films stand at Interpack proved a magnet to those visitors looking for genuinely “new” products and ideas.Under the banner of “Use Our Imagination” the company set out to explore some of the central issues facing the packaging sector – sustainability, product shelf-life enhancement, presentation and packing line efficiencies.
Explains Global Sales & Marketing Director, John Fell “We were keen to use the show as an opportunity to explore new developmental areas with customers rather than to simply ‘sell’ established films.”
One of the areas Innovia Films was focused on was that of sustainable packaging with prominence being given to its world-leading NatureFlex range of biodegradable and compostable films made from at least 95% renewable materials.
A new product being discussed was a metallised NatureFlex™ film which has the potential to offer the highest barrier of any bio-polymer on the market as well as glossy good looks for products such as twistwrap confectionery.
Another first being highlighted was a new “stiffer” film, NatureFlex ™ E944 with enhanced dimensional stability and reduced moisture-sensitivity for use in chiller cabinets for convenience products including pre-prepared vegetables and salads.
Staying with the fresh produce sector, PropaFresh™ TG18 35 micron is a new permeable, non perforated biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film under development by Innovia Films’ polymer Research and Development facility.
This new film is expected to be the first of a series of “breathable” BOPP films from the company which are designed to extend shelf life of fresh produce. As well as the new polymer formulation this film also provides excellent anti-mist properties.
The feature of TG18 35 is that it has an oxygen permeability of 2500 (cm³/m².24hrs) and carbon dioxide permeability of 8000(cm³/m².24hrs),
representing a significant increase in gas transmission rates compared to standard co-extruded BOPP films.
Shelf appeal and high-speed line performance were high on the agenda of other new developmental films under the spotlight which included a range of new films for the cut paper sector featuring new surface coatings and changes in base film technology.
Adds John Fell “We have two unique products streams with our bubble-produced OPP and our cellulose films, outstanding coating capability and the largest research and development facilities in Europe.
“Interpack offers us the unique opportunity to focus on the link between our innovation capabilities and the needs of customers so that we go away with a clear mandate as to where our research & development resource should be concentrated and which performance criteria we should be developing.
“Sharing ideas and exploring the latest research results is a vital part of attending the exhibition.”
