Page 47 - Plastics News July 2017

PRODUCT NEWS

Covestro developes Forgery-proof film solutions

ovestro is developing solutions with films that improve possible for standard laser-reactive overlay films. The
Csecurity and enable efficient production of cards. The data are also integrated into the core, with the result
company is presenting new and sophisticated products that the film also offers enhanced anti-forgery protection.
for ID cards. Covestro’s position as a leading supplier Personalization is faster and more cost-effective than the
of thermoplastic films for high-value documents derives conventional production. The development of this film and
primarily from the the patent-protected Superlaser technology is Covestro’s
fact that the company response to the latest trends on the security document
continuously responds market. Other innovations include extremely thin white
to the latest trends in polycarbonate films in the Makrofol® ID range. Thanks to
this innovative sector. their high opacity, they ensure the underlying chip cannot
To meet the many be seen following lamination. The thin layer of just 30 /
different demands of 50 micrometers also offers more freedom to incorporate
card manufacturers, additional layers in the card.
Covestro has developed a range of polycarbonate
films under the Makrofol® and Bayfol® brands and the KraussMaffei unveils continuous
Platilon® ID range of thermoplastic polyurethane films
(TPU). “Multi-layer TPU films and combinations with pultrusion system
polycarbonate films for applications where excellent
mechanical strength and durability are crucial are new raussMaffei Group has unveiled its first complete
to our portfolio,” says Georgios Tziovaras, applications Ksystem for continuous pultrusion, iPul. The system
engineer in special films at Covestro. One example is the has a production speed of up to 3 meters per minute. In
thin fold of passports, which consists of a Platilon® ID pultrusion, continuous fibers — usually of glass, carbon
composite film and is laminated inside onto the data or aramide — are infiltrated with a reactive plastic
page. The production process is highly efficient and the matrix and
composite is also long-lasting. Documents can be opened f o r med
and closed again any number of times without affecting to the
flexibility or tearing at the fold.
de sired
As the TPU films soften at temperatures similar to or profile in
higher than corresponding polycarbonate Makrofol® ID a heated
products from which the data pages are made, they mold.
cannot be separated from each other again without Grippers
damage being caused. “As a result, they can’t be used pull the
to manufacture new ID cards and thus offer excellent c u re d
anti-forgery protection,” says Tziovaras. On request, profile
Platilon® ID products can also be equipped with laser-
reactive properties to integrate further security features continuously and feed it to a sawing unit. While the process
into the fold. As with the polycarbonate data pages, it is by no means new, the iPul system,encompasses this
can also be personalized using standard laser engraving entire sequence and, says KraussMaffei, "revolutionizes"
equipment. The thickness of the layers in the composite the technology in two ways. Unlike previous methods,
films, which is thinner than for individual films, also in which the infiltration of the fibers occurs in open
enables greater design freedom. The data page can thus vessels, the iPul system encapsulates this process in an
also be made thinner, while nonetheless offering high injection box. Enclosing the infiltration process in the
strength and flexibility. This simplifies the integration injection box not only means that fast-reacting systems,
of security features, and the thinner data page also such as epoxy, polyurethane, a nylon 6, can now be used,
saves money. In ID documents made using Makrofol® ID it also increases production speed from the usual 0.5
Superlaser polycarbonate film, the holder’s data and to 1.5 metres per minute, to approximately 3 meters
photo can be laser-engraved in higher contrast than is per minute.

47 July 2017 | Plastics News