Latest Technology in Multilayer Film Processing, 2009 TAPPI 12th European PLACE Conference

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The development of multilayer highly qualified packaging film is still in progress. In the first place this concerns mostly Barrier Films for the food industry.

Whereas about 10 years ago 5 - layer films where the top of the development we can now see that the “standard” for new extrusion lines are 7 - layers and more and more film designers are working on the next film generation for 9 - 11 layers.

The idea of developing and optimizing film processing machines with even more layers by highly modern extrusion and tool-technology can`t be stopped anymore. The argumentation for this accelerated effort is a very simple one: Less raw material for the same or better film quality.

The question arises as to whether or not this argumentation actually justifies going in for the appropriate product and tool development, a challenge which needs to be accepted and worked on by both the engineering sector and the film manufacturing side?

Resin costs account for approx. 80 % of film production costs. Hence, it is not surprising that efforts are aimed at exploiting all engineering resources available in order to maximize raw material savings. As far as coextrusion is concerned, the focus is on aspects such as "low cost resins", reduced use of expensive additives, downgauging of individual layers, however insignificant such reduction may be.