Individuality and functionality of flexible packaging by lamination

Дата: 27/01/2022

Flexible packaging has grown tremendously worldwide in recent years. Successful packaging nowadays has a good and impressive design, but it is also functional and meets the goals of sustainability and environmental protection. With the current global focus on the sustainability of plastics, managing flexible packaging at the end of their lives is becoming a priority. If collected separately, flexible packaging is still a better choice for environmentally friendly packaging than other more recyclable materials.

Laminated foils, as part of the range of flexible packaging, are a common choice of companies in the food industry. They are mainly used for products that need to be protected or have an extended expiry date. The new laminated foils offer excellent aroma protection and also have high barrier properties against moisture and oxygen.

Functions of laminated flexible packaging:

• Improves the strength of the material, making it more resistant to tearing. Keep it during packing and forwarding.
• Protects it from external influences (light, moisture, oxygen)
• Prevents the loss of product qualities such as freshness and aroma (food)

Packages can be single-layer (i.e. of the same polymer) or with multilayer structures (made of different polymers). There are various combinations of structures offering functional advantages. For example, metallized polyester films are an excellent barrier to moisture and oxygen. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is used for strength and grease resistance, and thermoplastic resin for puncture resistance and heat sealing. Each foil in itself brings different qualities to the combined foil. Choosing the right combination determines the qualities of your packaging.

For a better commercial appearance of the packaging, which aims to stimulate sales, you can add:

• additional layer allowing reverse printing
• metal foil, which makes your product more visible and distinctive
• foil stamping, typically on products such as chocolate or coffee

Punching provides opportunities to give individuality and functionality to flexible packaging. Sterilizable standing flexible packaging is increasingly conquering markets, displacing previously packaged products in cans, jars or other rigid packaging products. Extending the expiry date of the products in combination with the wide range of executable sizes, specific individual barrier characteristics and their stable standing on store shelves makes these flexible packaging extremely convenient for both consumers and retailers.

There are many special effects additives that can also be useful (such as antistatic, anti-slip, anti-fog, UV barriers and optical brighteners).

The complexity of the combination of different polymers and additives offers many advantages for the visual side of the packaging, but poses a significant challenge for recycling companies. Things to keep in mind when choosing your packaging, especially if you want to be a responsible modern business supporting the circular economy. It is important to rely on sustainable business management processes if we want to be part of the European market.