Dow Chemical and Guangdong Jinming Machinery Co., Ltd., a provider of blown film lines, cast film lines and blow molding machines in China, have jointly announced that they will be entering into a licensing agreement. This enables Jinming to utilize Dow's proprietary pre-encapsulation die technology to make machinery for manufacturing polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) co-extrusion films.

This represents the first such licensing agreement for Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics in Asia. The collaboration facilitates access to Dow's pre-encapsulation die technology as the localization of advanced PVDC co-ex machine manufacturing to make it easier for local convertors to access this technology and accelerate the use of barrier films over the coming years.

"We are pleased to expand upon our trusted partnership with Jinming, who will be the first company in Asia to be licensed this technology." said Mark Saurin, Asia-Pacific commercial VP for Dow's Packaging and Specialty Plastics. "With the evolving needs of the packaging industry in Asia-Pacific especially China, it is crucial that Dow remains at the forefront of technology to consistently create technologically advanced and customized packaging solution offerings."

"Jinming remains committed to providing customers with sustainable and advanced packaging solutions and equipment," said Ma Zhenxin, chairman of the board, Guangdong Jinming Machinery Co. Ltd. "We will use this collaboration with Dow to improve PVDC process technology to bring about greater productivity and results for our customers in Asia-Pacific." 

As the region's middle class population continues to grow and become more affluent, with increasing standards of sophistication, it translates to improved living conditions and better quality of life. As a result, consumers are more willing to pay for packaging integrity and convenience in food products, leading to a rise in demand of barrier-film applications. By leveraging Dow's technical expertise, the shelf-life of meat products, for example, will be increased with reduced spoilage, thus helping to protect the integrity of food safety expectations.  

"As the first licensee to Dow's pre-encapsulation technology in Asia, Jinming is one step closer to the world's top machinery company," Ma declared.

"With this region's rapid growth and importance in flexible packaging requirements, Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics continues to find opportunities to invest further here, and to be a part of Asia's future successes," said Saurin.