Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) and a filmmaker have jointly developed a new film suitable for use with pouch packaging materials for foods and toiletry products.

With currently available film, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film and nylon film are laminated and used in combination with a further layer of film. In this latest development, however, a new film has been developed that permits the creation of a single film to replace PET and nylon film, and as a result, it has been possible to cut waste by reducing the overall number of layers, and reduce CO emissions.

[Background]

At present, some pouch packaging materials for use with retort or microwavable foods, and refill packaging for such personal care products as shampoo and conditioners, use a multilayer laminate of PET, nylon film, and a further film layer. PET maintains superior printability, heat and water resistance, and aroma retaining property, while nylon film possesses impact resistance. The challenge has been to create a film suitable for use with foods and daily necessities from a material that exhibits equivalent attributes to, without combining, PET and nylon film.

In order to overcome this challenge, DNP in conjunction with a film maker, has developed a film with performance similar to that of PET and nylon combined, which can be used with foods and daily necessities. And by using this new film, it is now possible to reduce the number of layers used overall in pouch packaging materials for such retort or microwavable foods, along with personal care product refill packaging.

[Features of the New Film]

- Achieving Thin Layer Packaging

While the thickness of PET laminated with nylon film is approximately 30-40 micrometre, the new film achieves a thin layer structure of just 15-20 micrometre.

- Overcoming Curling and Discoloration

Nylon film is hygroscopic leading to a deformation of the pouch packaging referred to as 'curling.' Instances of discoloring also occur as a result of the packaging absorbing moisture from the contents and the air. The newly developed film does not use nylon film, making it possible to overcome this problem.

- Eco-Friendly

In addition to being able to cut waste volume via use of the thin layer structure, as it is also possible to omit the process for laminating the two films, an eco-friendly product can be created that according to DNP estimates, reduces CO emissions by approximately 14% from the procurement of raw materials to their ultimate disposal. The new film is also lighter as a result of the thin layer structure, which also contributes to a reduction in recycling fees.

[Forward Looking Developments]

DNP will market the newly developed film to markets using pouch packaging materials, such as the food and toiletry industries, aiming for overall sales from packaging materials employing this new film of 2.0 billion yen in FY 2019.

* Product prices, specification and service contents mentioned in this news release are current as of the date of publication. They may be changed at any time without notice.

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd. published this content on 02 February 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 28 February 2017 23:32:07 UTC.

Original documenthttp://www.dnp.co.jp/eng/news/10132593_2501.html

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