Toray Plastics develops new heat-sealable BOPP film

Toray Plastics Inc. has developed a new Torayfan F63W heat-sealable BOPP film with improved bonding for ink adhesion, the company stated.

Franco Chicarella, product manager for the Torayfan polypropylene film division, told PlasticsToday the company developed the new film at the request of its customers who wanted an OPP print web that was compatible with a wider range of the water and solvent-based inks that are commonly used for package printing.

He said the film's improved bonding gives CPG's and converters greater latitude, enabling them to work with practically any type and color of ink.

"The new F63W film is a heat-sealable, coextruded print film with good co-efficient of friction (CoF), seal properties, and printability," he said. "The film is unique in that it achieves a high level of performance for all key film properties and processes."

The F63W film is a drop-in replacement for any lap-sealable package, he said. Its balance of CoF and low seal-initiation temperature allow it to run at high speeds on any vertical form-fill-seal equipment. The film also offers end-users and converters the ability to increase manufacturing output, the company stated.

"The print-receptive layer allow for stronger ink bonds and improved wet out with a wider range of chemistries," Chicarella said. "Superior ink adhesion on the printed side of the web means that the finished piece is likely to convey the graphic messaging in a manner that will attract and please the consumer."

Applications for the new F63W film include consumer packaging items such as salty snacks, baked goods, crackers, cookies, and confectionery items.

"Compare the packages in the photo, and it's evident that not all packaging films print the same," Chicarella said. The inset on the right shows ink that adhered very well to the package and reproduced tight dots, as compared with the inset on the left, which shows weak dots."

Toray Plastics is manufacturer of polyester, polypropylene, and bio-based films for flexible and rigid packaging, lidding, graphic, industrial, optical, and electronic applications. The company is a subsidiary of Toray Industries Inc.