A partnership between Sabic, film suppliers/extruders Ticinoplast and Plastchim-T, and packaging machine manufacturer Syntegon Technology, has resulted in the development of a sustainable packaging solution for frozen food.
Based on a mono web TF-BOPE film structure with a thickness of only 20 micrometers, the new PE grade offers a potential packaging material reduction of approximately 35-50% and a significantly higher throughput than conventional film. It also offers potential for down-gauging, making it attractive from both a commercial and sustainability standpoint.
The new high-gloss packaging solution offers aesthetics, sustainability and functionality. 100% recyclable, it fits mono-PE recycling streams. The TF-BOPE film is made of Sabic LLDPE BX202 material and offers tear direction, low tear strength and provides an easy unidirectional opening. Compared to conventional solutions, it offers much better visibility of packaged products due to higher light transmission and lower haze.
The 20 micrometer thin film was successfully tested on Syntegon’s vertical form, fill and seal machines, which feature the newly-developed PHS 2.0 sealing technology. This technology reduces the amount of clamped film by 25% and increases packaging speed by up to 25%. The thin TF-BOPE film also requires less cooling time which increases packaging speed even more. During the evaluations, a constant speed of 130 bags per minute was achieved.
For packers, TF-BOPE film delivers a robust sealing performance and increased productivity; for converters and brand owners, the new TF-BOPE film material offers good printability, cost-saving opportunities, higher yield, less consumption of plastic materials and lower packaging taxes due to reduced material consumption. It further reduces the package weight to product weight ratio, resulting in a more optimised packaging design.
The TF-BOPE film is based on Sabic LLDPE BX202 grade, which is available globally. This is a PE grade that can run in tenter frame machines traditionally used to make Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) film. TF-BOPE can replace multi material laminates into a mono-PE structure.
Sabic TF-BOPE polymer is also available as certified circular polymer from the company’s Trucircle portfolio.