Page 45 - Plastics News January 2021

produCt news

Turkish converter expands shrink Innovia launches new ‘Propafilm’

film capacity Strata range for packaging of
confectionaries

urkish shrink sleeve converter Etimag has founded
TPlasMag Plastik Film Ambalaj Sanayi and ordered a nnovia Films has launched High Speed Barrier
shrink film line from Brückner Maschinenbau. The daughter IPackaging Film for Horizontal Form-Fill-Seal called
company will install a 4.2m-wide 3-layer MOPET-G line the new Propafilm Strata range of transparent high
with a capacity of 6,600 tonnes a year, which will go barrier, mono structure, packaging films. The SLF is
into production late 2022 in its facility near Istanbul. a chlorine free film that delivers exceptional barrier
The shrink films produced will have a thickness range of
20-70 microns and be used for full-body sleeves, secure
tamper-evident packaging or labels. Founder Mehmet
Hilmi Okur said: “This investment is a milestone not
only for us but for the entire Turkish film and packaging
industry and of course also for our region, as this project
provides jobs for 80-100 people.” Helmut Huber, chief
operating officer for Brückner Maschinenbau, added:
“We have been in talks with Etimag for a long time.
Now we are very happy and proud that our relationship
culminates in this first MOPET-G project for Turkey.”
Etimag is a leading printer, converter and manufacturer levels to oxygen, moisture, aroma and mineral oils. It
that specializes in shrink sleeve applications. As one of has been designed with a wide sealing range making
the few companies in the industry that manufactures its it perfect for high speed horizontal-form-fill-seal
packaging of biscuits, bakery and confectionery type
own PVC film, the company provides end-to-end services products. Alasdair McEwen, Global Product Manager
from artwork design to manufacturing of shrink sleeves Packaging, Innovia Films explains “With SLF, we have
and sleeve equipment to its global client base since been able to develop a totally new barrier film that
1998. Major product applications include security bands,
not only has outstanding oxygen and aroma barrier,
but also has enhanced moisture barrier over standard
polypropylene films. This means that there is an
opportunity to increase product shelf life and therefore
reduce food waste. It is the perfect replacement for
PVdC coated films.” McEwen continued “We have
incorporated a wide sealing range polymer into the
formulation of SLF, so it has been designed specifically
for use on high speed horizontal packaging lines.” Like
all Propafilm™ Strata films, SLF provides a very effective
barrier to aroma, and oxygen even at high relative
humidity levels. It is printable, glossy and is food
shrink sleeves, preform sleeves, OPP labels and pressure- contact compliant globally. SLF has also been classified
sensitive labels. Currently, Etimag has a 150 metric ton per as Made for Recycling by Interseroh. Alasdair McEwen,
month shrink sleeve production capacity. Etimag shrink explains “This certification proves the recyclability of
sleeve applicators can process up to 20,000 bottles per our new Strata SLF film. It can be classified as ‘recycle
hour. The products are being exported to various clients ready’, or recyclable in countries which have the
in Northern America, Europe and Asia. infrastructure to recycle polypropylene.”

45 Januar y 2021 Plastics News