Innovia creates Propafilm REF BOPP film for biscuits, bakery, confectionery & tea

31-May-2017 - Last updated on 01-Jun-2017 at 09:09 GMT

Innovia launches Propafilm REF. Picture: Innovia Films.

Innovia has launched a Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) film called Propafilm REF for biscuits, bakery, confectionery, dried foods and tea.

It claims Propafilm REF was designed with speed in mind and has a wide sealing range compared to standard coextruded films.

Protecting seal damage

In tests, scientists found the film had a 30°C lower heat seal threshold (the minimum temperature required to achieve acceptable seal strength of 200g/25mm) compared to basic films.

“Minimizing rejects and maximizing outputs remain an important objective for many of our clients. Propafilm REF can contribute to these targets,” said Amaia Cowan, market development manager, Innovia Films.

“With its higher COF (Coefficient of Friccion) in the inner surface of the film, product movement within the pack can be reduced during the feeding stages, protecting seal damage and allowing good pack integrity to be maintained. Strong seals are achieved every time."

In addition to the wide seal range, the film also has hot tack performance over standard films. This means when the seals are pulled when they are hot they resist opening on a larger range of temperatures.

PFM Group

This is ideal for horizontal-form-fill wrapping applications.

Cowan added Innovia carried out laboratory tests with packaging machinery firms to confirm the films performance including SPS Italiana Pack systems (PFM Group).

“We were asked by Innovia Films to confirm the performance of their new film on our machinery. We ran Propafilm REF on our Modulo machine and we can confirm that speeds of 80m/min were achieved, a substantial 30m/min improvement,” said Roberto Spatolisano, project manager, SPS.

“At these speeds, the film was still passing our stringent micro-hole acceptance level (i.e.200 mbar/20 sec. pillow bag configuration).”