Media Packaging Injection Stretch Blow Molding Blown Film Blown Film
A development program recently completed by Milliken Chemical has resulted in innovations that allow clarified polypropylene (cPP) to be used more effectively in blown film for flexible packaging applications. Benefits of the technological breakthroughs include enhanced shelf appeal, reduced costs, superior package stiffness and improved moisture barrier. Milliken’s industry-leading Millad® 3988 clarifying agent is the pivotal element in the company’s latest success in adding value to PP packaging. Not only does Millad enhance clarity when used in cPP blown film, it also contributes to process stability, which had been an obstacle to the use of PP in blown film in the past.
In the past, BOPP film for flexible packaging was laminated to the exterior of a multi-layer structure for packaging aesthetics, including gloss. Because Millad provides excellent aesthetics in blown film, a final film structure can be co-extruded, thus eliminating the lamination process and reducing overall film cost by 15 percent.
Milliken reports the following results from the use of Millad 3988 in blown PP film, based on trials and commercial applications:
- Enhanced optics – 80 percent reduction in haze, comparable to BOPP
- Increased package gloss
- Improved stiffness – 25 percent increase
- More effective moisture barrier – Reduces transmission by 25 percent, comparable to BOPP
- Faster production – Line speed increased up to 25 percent and easier downstream material handling
- Reduced costs – Up to 15 percent cost reduction by eliminating lamination
Without Millad 3988 With Millad 3988