POLYMER producer TotalEnergies and SML, an Austrian specialist in extrusion technology, have teamed up to develop two films designed to enable material savings in stand-up pouch and deep-freeze bag applications through downgauging.
The first film, designed for re-sealable barrier stand-up pouch applications, combines polyethylene with a thin layer of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) to deliver ‘good’ oxygen barrier properties. It is said to combine ‘excellent’ film flatness with downgauging over 30% ‘without compromising performance versus PE/PET structures’. The 60μm film works with or without lamination.
The second film, intended for deep-freeze bag applications, is an un-laminated MDO-PE cast film said to achieve a reduction in thickness in the range of 35% to 50% compared to conventional deep-freeze bag structures.
Made with TotalEnergies’ Lumicene Supertough, both films are described as fully recyclable and suitable for existing recycling streams.
The films will be exhibited at K 2025 in Düsseldorf next month.
Olivier Greiner, VP, polymers Europe & Orient at TotalEnergies, said, “By combining our innovative polymers with SML’s high-performance cast film technology, these new films contribute to innovative packaging solutions, aligning with manufacturer needs. They illustrate our approach to polymer development, which includes rethinking their use and reducing their environmental impact through enhanced material properties.”
Elias Mayrhofer, product manager at SML, added, “SML’s cast MDO technology demonstrates its full strength when combined with high-performance resins such as Lumicene Supertough polymers – delivering excellence in both product quality and line performance.”
