Light weight packaging film for fresh and dairy applications

New materials for flow packs and lidding applications are an alternative to OPA/PE films and OPET/PE films.

In Use – Commercially available – the Spanish manufacturer Ilas has recently switched its cheese brand Krol to this material.

Selected Filters (click to expand/collapse)

Benefits
Packaging Reduction

Product Categories
Food

Relevant Materials
Plastic – Flexible

Relevant Packaging Formats
Flexible & Films

Supply Chain Phase
Production, Raw materials / Ingredients

Details

A leading packaging manufacturer has launched a light-weight film for fresh and dairy applications. The material can be used in flow pack solutions and lidding applications.

The new materials are lighter weight alternatives to OPA/PE films and OPET/PE films. The films can be designed to meet various oxygen barrier needs and can include features such as UV barriers.

Key to the success of the two year development project has been the company’s know-how in sealant technology. This has allowed the company to down-gauge the films whilst maintaining seal performance (speed and integrity) and rigidity. The films have the same rigidity and functional properties as PE films up to 70% thicker. High transparency is also reported.

The materials have been developed by Amcor and are marketed as OPA Light and OPET Light.

The content in this entry has been obtained from publicly available information sources only (e.g. press releases, website and trade press articles) and is subject to completion of a validation process with the technology supplier.

Potential Benefits

Compared to a benchmark of OPA15/PE60, the OPA12/Light35 reduces material weight by 37% and, according to the company’s in-house LCA study, reduces non-renewable energy consumption by 32% and greenhouse gas emissions by 28%.

Intellectual Property

The films can be produced by all Amcor Flexibles sites in Europe.

Consultant View

There are many entries in the REID database which feature innovations and technologies addressing light-weighting of flexible packaging. To identify other examples, try using combinations of search terms such as “Light-weight”, “Films” and “Flexible”.

Contacts and Further Information

Philippe Scherrer
Marketing Director
Amcor Flexibles Europe & Americas,
Fresh, LED, Dairy & Capsules
Tel: +46 70 299 32 56
Email: philippe.scherrer@amcor.com