SABIC, the world's leading diversified chemical company, has launched a sustainable frozen food packaging solution that combines new polyethylene (PE) grades with innovative film production technology. Compared with the traditional blown PE film solution, its output is significantly improved, and it also has the potential for blanking, so it is attractive from the perspective of business and sustainable development.
The solution is based on a single-layer TF-BOPE film structure with a thickness of only 20 microns, which is an unprecedented advantage in this market. Compared with the existing blown PE film, this thin packaging material can be reduced by about 35-50%. The reduction in thickness of packaging solutions minimizes the impact on the environment and supports brands and retailers that aim to reduce the consumption of packaging materials. The new packaging solution is also 100% recyclable, suitable for single-layer PE recycling streams.
This innovative frozen food packaging solution is the result of close cooperation between SABIC and film suppliers Ticinoplast and Plaschim-T and packaging machine manufacturer Syntegon Technology.
Stephan Eltink, SABIC's European PE Business Director, said: "At SABIC, we focus on providing sustainable solutions and working with customers to help them realize their ambitions and solve key industry challenges. Through cooperation with Ticinoplast, Plaschim-T and Syntegon Through the close cooperation between the companies and the joint use of our innovations, we are able to introduce a new solution to the market that will achieve more sustainable packaging without compromising productivity and consumer convenience."
Pierre Hamelink, Syntegon’s Director of Business, Marketing and Sustainability Strategy, said: “This innovative packaging solution demonstrates the true value of collaboration. Stakeholders across the supply chain must work together to achieve this: sustainable development cannot be done alone. Realization. Our R&D work is driven by our mission to achieve sustainability without compromise. Our new PHS 2.0 sealing technology can handle thinner films while providing the same sealing quality and products as traditional sealing technology Protection and processing speed. When SABIC's BOPE film is used to replace composite packaging materials on new and existing Syntegon machines, brand owners will benefit from more material and cost savings."
TF-BOPE film is made of SABIC®LLDPE BX202 material, which has the characteristics of tear direction, low tear strength and easy one-way opening. Compared with traditional solutions, it provides better visibility for packaged products due to higher light transmittance and lower haze. At the same time, high gloss brings first-class design and beauty.
Using the newly developed PHS 2.0 sealing technology, a 20-micron film was successfully tested on Syntegon's vertical forming, filling and sealing machine. This technology can reduce the amount of film sandwiched by 25% and increase the packaging speed by 25%. TF-BOPE film requires less cooling time, which will further increase the packaging speed. During the evaluation process, a constant speed of 130 bags per minute was achieved.
For packagers, TF-BOPE film has strong sealing properties and improves production efficiency by increasing packaging speed. The thin film thickness improves film winding efficiency and reduces logistics processing, storage space and transportation costs.
For processors and brand owners, SABIC`s TF-BOPE film material has a wide range of advantages, including better printability, more cost-saving, higher yield, less plastic material consumption, and reduced material consumption. Reduced packaging tax. It further reduces the ratio of packaging weight to product weight, thereby further optimizing the packaging design.
TF-BOPE film is based on the SABIC LLDPE BX202 grade and is sold globally. TF-BOPE is the abbreviation of Tenter Frame Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene. This is a PE grade that can produce biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film on a traditional tenter frame. TF-BOPE has the potential to be used in new applications and markets that support the circular economy, and these applications and markets require monomer material solutions to improve recyclability. TF-BOPE can replace multi-material laminates into a single-layer PE structure.
SABIC TF-BOPE polymer is part of the "recyclability design" in the TRUCIRCLE™ solution. It supports simple and comprehensive recyclability by realizing a single-layer PE material structure in the multi-layer drawing frame of flexible packaging, aiming to maximize Minimize waste. The new product is also available as a certified recycled polymer in the company's TRUCIRCLE portfolio. At SABIC, the TRUCIRCLE program includes the company's recycled materials and technologies, including recycled polymers that are certified from the chemical recovery of mixed plastic waste.