Packaging
Crop producers in Vietnam are using a clear multilayer film made of several Sabic resins for packaged fruit (Photo: Linh Khang)
Vietnam-based Linh Khang is supplying leading plantation operators in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos with packaging film used in the transportation of a harvest of more than 300 tonnes/year of bananas for export and domestic consumption. To minimise losses and also extend the shelf life of the fruit, the manufacturer was seeking a solution for effectively improving the protective capabilities of its banana packaging film. In close collaboration with Linh Khang, Sabic’s Market Development & Technical Support (MDTS) team identified the requirements for protecting the soft fruit against the rigours of transportation and handling, in particular moisture, shock and vibration. The collaboration resulted in the development of a multilayer vacuum packaging film that lends the banana packs impact resistance, toughness and good sealing properties. The high-performance yet costefficient multi-layer film has reduced the damage in transportation and lowered the previous rejection rate by up to 20%, according to Linh Khang. In the meantime, Linh Khang is using the new film in 90% of its banana packaging. The unique film consists of three layers of polymers from Sabic’s packaging materials offering, where a dedicated Cohere POP forms the inner layer along with a unique blend of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), LDPE and Sabic Supeer metallocene LLDPE resins for the core and outer layers. Durable large-capacity freshwater bags In another application, Tan Phong Packaging, a leading Vietnamese manufacturer of premier lightweight packaging materials, worked closely with Sabic’s MDTS team to develop an innovative multilayer film for producing giant freshwater storage bags. As Vietnam has been hit by the worst drought
in 90 years and is at the same time facing increased seawater intrusion in the coastal regions of the Mekong Delta, there is a growing need for freshwater storage capacities on farms as well as in remote villages without access to potable water. A smart solution to help meet these challenges also in upcoming dry seasons (December through April) is provided by the packaging supplier’s flexible new large-capacity water bags, each of which can store up to 30 cu m of freshwater. The lightweight and low-cost bags are made of a film structure using an outer and a core layer of LLDPE in combination with an inner layer of Cohere POP. The multi-layer film offers the storage bag enhanced seal strength, weatherability and punctureresistance. Due to the nature of the material, the bags can be rolled up for ease of transportation or convenient stowage in the rainy season and placed anywhere, providing a convenient, secure and dependable means for storing freshwater wherever needed. The water bag application complements Sabic’s collaborative efforts in the region, where its material solutions are set to enable the storage of more than 200 million l of freshwater annually to support food production, consumption and sanitation. Polyolefin plastomers meeting the challenges Sabic Cohere POP is an ethylene-octene copolymer produced via solution polymerisation using advanced metallocene catalyst. It performs well in high performance flexible packaging applications with toughness, hot tack, hot seal, optical properties and enhanced packaging integrity to reduce loss/waste. “We are very pleased to share our expertise and technology to help overcome freshwater and food supply challenges that can be existential in many regions where climate change is causing increased challenges such as seawater intrusion and droughts,” concludes Fahad.
A clear and aesthetic multilayer film solution developed in collaboration with Sabic provides enhanced protection for vacuum packaged crops from farm to table SEPTEMBER 2020
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