battenfeld-cincinnati sees increased demand for multilayer sheet lines

With a total of six multi-layer lines in three years, battenfeld-cincinnati continues to expand its presence in the polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) barrier sheet segment for food packaging.

The machine manufacturer recently received an order from an Asian packaging manufacturer for a multilayer thermoforming sheet extrusion line.

A battenfeld-cincinnati spokesperson told PlasticsToday the increased demand for multilayer thermoforming sheet extrusion lines is due to its ability to create products with a longer shelf life, and packages requiring more complex structures in a multilayer sheet.

This new order is for a seven-layer PP/PS sheet extrusion line. It is equipped with five extruders and reaches an output of up to 1200 kg/hr.

With this extrusion line, the customer will produce trays, cups and lids for foodstuffs with an extended shelf life, such as sauces, baby foods, soups, convenience foods, and dairy products. Food trays that can be sterilized, along with trays for fruit packaging as an alternative to cans, will also be manufactured.

The company expects its largest growth in Asia, with a smaller growth rate in North America and Europe.

Barrier sheets have a long history in the Asian market, especially in countries such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand, the company stated. The annual growth rates in the segment of barrier sheet packaging ranges from 5 to 8%, depending on the country.

The demand is driven by climatic conditions, and the transport over long distances, which require packaging with a long shelf life.

In addition, fruit packages for small quantities, such as pineapples or mangoes, are also increasingly found in European and North American supermarkets. While such sheet and sometimes also the cups made from it were still exported from Europe a few years ago, they are now also manufactured in the fruit-producing countries. This is where packaging with barrier layers is advantageous, the company stated.  

Its gas barrier function prevents oxygen from affecting foodstuffs and thus lengthens its shelf life; the package also preserves the fragrance, flavor and taste of its contents and prevents short-term degradation of ingredients such as vitamins.