Extrusion Technology In Kuhne’s solution, the sealing layer consists of materials such as metallocene PE or plastomers, and the inner EVOH barrier layer is enclosed by two PE-based tie layers and a HDPE blend is used for the outer layer. “With the same line configuration, we can also produce a mono PP film without any modification,” emphasised Schiffmann. The technology is just as flexible in terms of the film thickness, which can vary between 15-150 microns, and its film properties. Film shrinkage is also adjustable, depending on whether the film is to be used for standup pouches, coffee and snack packaging, which require non-shrinkable films, or for lid films, which require slightly shrinkable films. Bottom web film for food packaging can also be designed to be thermoformable and even deep-drawable and shrinkable for form-shrink applications. Kuhne says its solution also eliminates the need to laminate an MDO film with a sealing layer, which is usually necessary. “Our films are directly sealable and can be processed further,” says Schiffmann, adding another economic and ecological argument for the production of mono-material film structures with the triple bubble technology. Colines’s stretch film with 60% PCR Italian extrusion machinery maker Colines says it has made big steps towards the path of recycling having run tests on post consumer recycled (PCR) material film, in cooperation with materials maker ExxonMobil. “We performed very high quality reels, both with a wide range of thicknesses and percentages of recycled materials. We reached up to 400% ultimate pre-stretch value (ultimate strain) on a standard film production. Even when using a very high grade of recycled material, the reels offered Colines claims up to 60% PCR use in stretch film production
good optical and mechanical qualities, perfectly suitable for today’s new market requirements,” claimed Nicola Lombardini, R&D Manager. He added, “This is impressive as we used up to 60% of PCR. Our cooperation with ExxonMobil provides us with the confidence to achieve further milestones in the near future.” Meanwhile, Colines’s Executive President/Co-founder Eraldo Peccetti furthered, “After having made perfect reels with up to 90% of PIR (post industrial recycled) material, we had a further proof of the flexibility of our ALLrollEX lines in production.” Lombardini also explained that the ALLrollEX lines are equipped with the newly designed GDS (gel down screw) screws and the in-line refeeding system BigMouth. ExxonMobil’s nonwoven solution for hygiene products processed on Reicofil US materials firm ExxonMobil, in collaboration with German extrusion machinery maker Reifenhäuser Reicofil, has introduced what it says is a new breakthrough solution to produce nonwoven fabrics with lofty thickness, ultra-cushiony cotton-like softness, and a silk-like smooth touch. Also offering low lint and uniformity, the solution provides a tailored balance of properties for nonwovens used in premium diapers, pant-type diapers, feminine care and adult incontinence products.
ExxonMobil’s new nonwoven solutions can be processed on Reicofil’s spunbound technology
A blend of ExxonMobil PP3155E5, PP3684HL and Vistamaxx 7050BF performance polymer, the solution can be processed using bi-component (BiCo) spunbond technology from Reifenhäuser Reicofil. By adjusting the formulation, nonwovens can be tailored to meet the needs of different hygiene product components such as the bellyband, back sheet and top sheet used in baby diapers, feminine care, and adult incontinence products. Offering the thickness required for cushiony softness, the nonwoven fabric is as resilient as it is lofty, while delivering good drapability, uniformity for consistent products and low lint for surface stability. Formulation variations allow nonwovens to be produced with a different feel to meet the needs of the application, from a cottony touch to a silky touch. Spunbound fabrics can be manufactured that are up to 15% thicker for protection compared to other BiCo spunbond high-loft solutions. Plus, 80% of the thickness is maintained after being placed under load for an extended period. OCTOBER 2020
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