Innovia Films, a producer of biaxially oriented polypropylene films for labels, graphics, packaging, and tobacco, has launched a new production line for eco-friendly films at its Schkopau facility close to Leipzig in Germany.
This latest production line is a key element of the company’s plan to concentrate on green materials, in accordance with its ‘Better Future’ materials science initiative.
The new line, spanning 8.8m, produces films from 15 to 50 microns (µm) with an annual capacity of 35,000 tons (t).
Innovia said the new line is positioned centrally in Europe due to its proximity to numerous major clients.
The €70m ($76m) investment forms part of the company’s wider strategy.
The company explained that thinner materials result in improved material efficiency and a lower carbon footprint for final products, aiding the carbon reduction strategies of leading brands seeking to introduce sustainable packaging solutions to the market.
Innovia Films Schkopau general manager Giuseppe Ronzoni said: “We can achieve excellent film properties with this technology – better film quality for value-added products.
“In addition to that, the LISIM technology is significantly more energy efficient than other extrusion technologies for BOPP film, which, of course, leads to an overall smaller carbon footprint of the finished product itself.”
The LISIM technology in this new line enables simultaneously stretched film extrusion, ensuring faster and more flexible production, the company added.
The product range from the new line will comprise pressure-sensitive facestock films for labels and flexible packaging films crafted for monomaterial retort designs, along with other products.
Innovia president Günther Birkner said: “The Linear Motor Simultaneous Stretching Machine (LISIM) is a technology developed by Brückner Maschinenbau for the production of simultaneously oriented polymer films.
“There are several benefits for our customers including balanced orientation, which means that film properties are equal in machine and transverse direction; this is important for many applications in labels and packaging.
“Moreover, the products have enhanced optical properties, optionally functional skin layers, and material and energy efficiency in order to reduce our carbon footprint.”
In February last year, Innovia Films launched a floatable polyolefin shrink film for light-sensitive products.
