SABIC, a global leader in diversified chemicals, has launched a sustainable packaging solution for frozen food which combines a new polyethylene (PE) grade with innovative film production technology.
This innovative packaging solution for frozen food is the result of SABIC’s close collaboration with film suppliers/extruders Ticinoplast and Plastchim-T, as well as packaging machine manufacturer Syntegon Technology.
It offers significantly higher throughput and also has potential for down-gauging, compared to conventional blow PE film solutions, making it attractive from both a commercial and sustainability standpoint.
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Frozen vegetables in refrigerator, closeup
Frozen vegetables in refrigerator, closeup
The solution is based on a mono web TF-BOPE film structure which has a thickness of 20 micrometres and this thin gauge provides a potential packaging material reduction of approximately 35-50% compared to incumbent blown PE film.
The reduced thickness of the packaging solution minimises environmental impact and supports brand owners and retailers who are aiming to reduce their packaging material consumption. The new packaging solution is also 100 per cent recyclable and fits mono-PE recycling streams.
The 20 micrometre thin film was successfully tested on Syntegon’s vertical form, fill and seal machines, which feature the newly-developed PHS 2.0 sealing technology. This technology reduces the amount of clamped film by 25 per cent and increases packaging speed by up to 25%. The thin TF-BOPE film also requires less cooling time which increases packaging speed even more. During the evaluations, a constant speed of 130 bags per minute was achieved.
For packers, TF-BOPE film delivers a robust sealing performance and increased productivity resulting from improved packaging speed.
The TF-BOPE film is based on SABIC LLDPE BX202 grade, which is available globally.
SABIC TF-BOPE polymer is part of the “Design for Recyclability” under TRUCIRCLE™ solutions and supports easy and full recyclability through enabling mono-PE material structure in multilayer tenter frame of flexible packaging, aiming to minimise waste.
Pierre Hamelink, Syntegon’s Director of Business, Market and Sustainability Strategy, said: “This innovative packaging solution demonstrates the true value of collaboration. Stakeholders throughout the supply chain have had to work together to bring this to life: sustainability cannot be achieved single-handedly.”