What is Metalized Film and its Different Types

An ever-increasing number of products, changing lifestyles & safer food packaging are a few factors that have seen the packaging & labelling industry grow over the past few years. The COVID-19 pandemic added fuel to the fire, making customers realise the importance of packaging that keeps foreign contaminants at bay. The result is there to see, with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of this industry in India expected to rise approximately 26.7% in the next 5 years!

Companies are actively looking for a packaging & labelling material that ticks the most boxes. The answer? Metalized packaging & labelling films. 

What are Metalized Films?
Metalized films are films made by coating a polymer film with a thin layer of metal (generally aluminium). The film retains some of its original properties, like toughness & low density, but attains additional features like reduced permeability to external factors. 

This metallic coating could often be the difference to make a product one step ahead of the rest. The metalized packaging films give way to attractive images & are a fun way to display the product’s unique selling points. This makes it pop out from the rest of the monotonous packets on the aisle. Apart from that, it acts as an additional barrier, preventing the contents inside from interacting with the environment. The experts at Cosmo films noted these benefits & developed metallic films that incorporate all the above advantages and a few more! 

Metalized Printing & Pouching Films 

Used majorly to pack snack items and bakery goods, our co-extruded films support high-quality printing & converting. The ability to be used as a monoweb or laminate on horizontal form fill seals (HFFS) and vertical form fill seals (VFFS) packing machines make it a versatile option. 

One of its sides is metalized while the other differs in property according to variant. All 5 variants have a multi-layer laminate setup which provides an excellent moisture & oxygen barrier. Properties like a bright white background and oxo-biodegradability come with types like Metalized Cavitated White Opaque Film and Metalized Oxo-Biodegradable Heat Sealable Film, respectively. 

Metalized Barrier Films 

The experts at Cosmo Films made the Metalized Barrier Films to counter two of the packaging industry’s most crucial problems—food wastage & material consumption. 

These films have a high moisture barrier to keep the packed food consumable for a long time, hence improving the shelf life. It tackles the problem of material consumption through laminate rationalization. Metalized Barrier Films are solvent-free coated films which make them ideal to be used as an inner seal web in duplex/triplex laminate structures. Its good machinability aids to offer the best results in sandwich lamination. 

Metalized Pressure Sensitive LabelStock Film 

Coming to the realm of labels, these films are extensively used to fulfil the global need for self-adhesive labels. One of the best properties of Metalized PSL Films is their universal printability, which means they can deliver high-quality printing across a wide range of printing processes like flexography, UV, letterpress and offset. Apart from this, they are compatible with UV, water-based and solvent alike. This range is known for its sparkling metallic appearance, high stiffness, and good optics. With a good active moisture resistance, these are ideal for beverages, health, beauty & pharmaceutical products. 

Metalized Wrap Around Label Films 

Metalized Wrap Around Label Films are suitable for people who use cut-stock and reel-fed applications. These BOPP-based films are metalized on one side & heat sealable on the other with a super white opaque look on the latter side. In addition to high optical density, stiffness, & good adhesion, it also has good mould resistance. These are used by reputed beverage brands worldwide. 

Cosmo Synthetic Paper: Your New Partner for the Printing of Certificates and Marksheets

 The education sector is one of the largest consumers of paper. From notebooks to maps, certificates & diplomas, paper is used in almost every activity. But the use of regular paper in universities & schools turns out to be an inefficient & non-sustainable solution, especially for durable applications like certificates, maps, diplomas, book covers and more. The key challenges in using regular paper are:

• It is vulnerable, prone to damage.
• It increases global deforestation.
• When used with lamination, it is prone to peeling & scratches.

Cosmo Synthetic Paper (CSP) has turned out to be a perfect replacement for the conventional wood-pulp paper in durable applications for the education industry. CSP offers multiple benefits that resonate with industry needs and help in achieving both efficiency & sustainability. Scroll down to explore how.

WHAT IS COSMO SYNTHETIC PAPER?
Cosmo Synthetic Paper (CSP) is a white opaque, co-extruded, polypropylene-based BOPP film. It very closely resembles the conventional paper, yet has much more to offer. Made using synthetic substrates, it is extremely durable & eco-friendly as it involves no deforestation in the making. Thus, it’s the perfect substitute for wood-pulp paper in durable applications.

BENEFITS OF CSP FOR MARKSHEET & DIPLOMA APPLICATION
Mark sheets & diplomas are documents that students need even after they’ve completed their education. However, when printed on regular paper, these documents are prone to damage. They need the support of lamination, which again is expensive & not so durable. That is why universities are now switching to Cosmo Synthetic Paper for mark sheets, certificates, or diplomas. Here’s why:

UNMATCHED DURABILITY
CSP, designed to provide better durability, is made using synthetic substrates that offer distinct capabilities to the paper. CSP is:

• Non-Tearable
• Waterproof
• Resistant to oil & chemicals

NO CURLING
Regular paper and even lamination start curling from the edges after a period of time. As a result, the users have to change the lamination from time to time to keep their documents intact. CSP eliminates the chances of curling from the edges with its excellent lay-flat property. Thus, mark sheets printed on CSP stay intact for years.

VERSATILE & QUALITY PRINT CAPABILITIES
The major challenge of using a synthetic substrate is ensuring print compatibility. CSP is a versatile solution that is compatible with multiple printing processes and technologies, including digital, thermal transfer, flexography, UV offset/inkjet & more.

SECURITY FEATURES
To avoid duplication or forgery of documents, users can add security features like micro printing, blind embossing, high-resolution border, invisible printing, void pantograph, hot foil stamping, watermark, serial numbering, QR code, prismatic printing, and others to documents printed on CSP.

REDUCED DEFORESTATION
The paper industry is a major reason for global deforestation. And with universities & schools consuming an enormous amount of paper in day-to-day use, they, too, are contributing to the deforestation process. CSP, made using synthetic substrates, does not require cutting down of trees in the production process, thus reducing deforestation and becoming an eco-friendly & durable substitute for conventional paper.

At Cosmo Films, we have partnered with multiple universities, Govt. institutions & schools to help them leverage the benefits of this revolutionary solution. We are creating a difference by delivering eco-friendly & efficient solutions for you & the environment. To know more about our product or to request free samples, you can connect with our executive

Source : https://www.cosmofilms.com/blog/cosmo-synthetic-paper-for-certificates-and-marksheets/

Rise of high barrier packaging films

The journey of food from farm to plate can be a tricky one, with chances of food spoilage in the course of being picked, packaged, transported, and stored. In handling food products for such a long period of time without compromising the quality, the most important factor is its packaging. It is of utmost importance to provide all relevant barrier properties (Moisture, Gas and Aroma), to keep the products integrity intact. Barrier Films play a major role to extend the shelf-life of the product, also helping to make the structure completely recyclable with all layers belonging to the same family of polymers.

Barrier films have an impermeable co-extruded & flexible structure (single or multiple layers) which is solvent-free, and doesn’t react with the packaged food. It helps prevent contact with oxygen, carbon dioxide or moisture, while restraining migration of mineral oil and UV light. This stringent barrier, crafted using specialized materials, also retains the properties of food such as color, taste, texture, aroma and flavor.

Cosmo Films have engineered BOPP based Barrier Films, which not only extends the shelf-life of food products but also protects them against intrinsic (food itself, nutrients, water activity, pH, redox potential) and extrinsic factors (atmospheric gases, temperature, other microbial flora, relative humidity).

Some of the prime characteristics for Cosmo Films’ range of Barrier Films are-

• It facilitates the reduction of packaging material through laminate rationalization (3 layers lamination to 2 layers lamination structure).  
• It replaces aluminum foil with a BOPP/ CPP based film in a multi-layered structure, which offers equivalent MVTR (Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate) and OTR (Oxygen Transmission Rate). Provides excellent aroma barrier, and are specially designed to provide aroma preservation to FMCG’s products like tea, coffee and rice packs. 
• Provides excellent moisture and gas barrier properties 
• Improves productivity by enabling FFS machines to run at a higher speed due to High Hot Tack and Low SIT properties. 
• Provides excellent dimensional stability and stiffness. 
• Gives amazing machinability with low seal threshold quality. 

Type of Barrier Films 
Cosmo Films’ range of barrier films can be categorized as below:

Metalized Barrier Films:

• High Moisture Barrier Films (HMB): These are metalized BOPP barrier films that are corona treated on both sides and can be used for duplex as well as for sandwich lamination in snack foods, shampoo sachets, dry milk powder and powdered drinks sachets/packs, where loss of moisture is a concern. 
• High Speed Barrier Films with High Hot Tack (HSB): These BOPP metalized moisture and oxygen barrier films have a High Hot Tack and Low SIT which enables FFS machines to run at a higher speed, thus helping improve productivity. 
• High Seal Strength Barrier Films (HSS): These BOPP metalized moisture and oxygen barrier films have been specially designed for packaging applications requiring high seal strengths. 
• Ultra High Barrier Films (UHB): These BOPP metalized moisture and oxygen barrier films can be used to substitute aluminium foil since they offer a MVTR < 0.15 g/m2.day and OTR< 0.1 cc/m2.day 
• High Metal Bond CPP Films (HMBS): These metalized Cast Polypropylene (CPP) films have been specially designed for packaging applications requiring high interlayer bond strength for making multi-layer laminate structures. The film offers high metal bond strength (>400gf/inch). 
• High Barrier CPP Films (HB): These metalized CPP films have been designed for applications requiring OTR <30cc/m2.day, MVTR<0.3g/m2.day, high heat seal and hot tack strength.

Transparent Barrier Films:

• Aroma Barrier Films (AB): These are transparent barrier films typically used for coffee/tea, spices, chewing gum and perfume boxes overwrapping.
• Aroma & Oxygen Barrier Films (AOB): These transparent films have both excellent moisture and gas barrier properties and are used for packaging of cream biscuits, chocolates, chips and snacks with some dose of fatty content.
• Ultra High Barrier Films (UHB): These transparent films have excellent moisture, aroma and gas barrier properties and are used to convert 3 layer laminates to 2 layers for packaging of aromatic and fat content rich products like dry fruits, nuts, spices etc. These films also offer mineral oil resistance.

Each product in the FMCG industry has its own characteristics and property, and Cosmo Films’ range of Barrier Films caters to each one of them. Be it providing barriers from moisture and air or keeping the aroma intact, we have a film to solve all your requirements.

Barrier Films in Food Packaging

The most common challenge faced by the food industry is preserving, protecting and extending the shelf-life of food products. The quality of most food products gradually deteriorates over a period of time and affects attributes such as flavor, texture, taste and colour of the products. The shelf-life of food products can be shortened based on the interaction between a number of intrinsic (pH, preservatives, water activity) and extrinsic (temperature, humidity, gaseous environment) parameters.

Keeping this in mind, Cosmo Films has developed a range of solvent-free BOPP barrier films that can be used for a wide range of FMCG packaging applications. These barrier films not only help in extending the shelf life of food products but also reduce packaging material consumption through laminate rationalization.

What are barrier films? 

Barrier films are impervious packaging solutions, usually made up of single or multiple layers of flexible films, the material of which depends on the area of application. Barrier films are also coated on either side by different lacquers/resins to obtain desired results.

The effectiveness of a barrier film was earlier measured in terms of its ability to prevent the ingress of oxygen, carbon dioxide and moisture. However, in recent times protection against migration of mineral oil and UV light is also considered important. This impervious nature allows barrier films to protect products such as food from the loss of nutrients and functional properties such as taste, aroma, texture and colour.

The barrier films that are manufactured by Cosmo Films are solvent-free Bi-axially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP), generally used in duplex or triplex laminate structures. BOPP started out as a replacement for cellulose film, which was used over 50 years ago, but it can now be used for a vast array of applications.

In typical manufacturing processes, a tenter frame is used to stretch the molten film in both machine and cross dimensions. The biaxial orientation of the film aids in reducing stretching, puncturing and tearing of the film.

Applications of barrier films in the food industry 

Barrier films can be used to preserve and protect a wide array of food types and products, some of which are listed below:

Bakery Goods – These products require the use of perforated films in order to protect them from loss of humidity, while simultaneously preventing water retention so that their crispness stays intact.

Biscuits – These products are usually degraded by humidity uptake which leads to a loss of crispness. Products with chocolate and cream can be affected by oxidation and odor loss or uptake.

Dehydrated foods and beverages – These products require a very high barrier to water, aroma, and oxygen, so as to preserve their long shelf life.

Frozen foods – Raw, semi-cooked, cooked meats, and other frozen foods are highly perishable and need to be packaged using materials that can withstand minus degree temperatures.

Pet food – Wet pet food needs to be packaged using films that are impervious to oxygen, light, and contamination by odor.

Chips and snacks – These products usually degrade through rancidity and require packaging solutions which provide excellent moisture barriers.

Dry fruits, fruits and, nuts – These products need to be packaged using films that offer high gas, oxygen, and moisture barriers.

Types of barrier films
Cosmo Films manufactures three types of barrier films as below-

 1.Metalized Barrier Films :

[a] High Moisture Barrier (HMB): It is a metalized film that is corona treated on both sides and can be used for sandwich layer lamination in snack foods, shampoo sachets, dry milk powder and powdered drinks sachets/packs and all other products where loss of moisture is a prime concern.

[b] High Speed Barrier with High Hot Tack (HSB): The metalized moisture and oxygen barrier film has a High Hot Tack and Low SIT which enables FFS machines to run at a higher speed, thus helping to improve productivity.

[c] Ultra High Barrier (UHB): This metalized ultra high barrier film can be used to replace aluminum foil from multi-layer laminated structure since it offers an exceptional MVTR and OTR

The Best Companion for Food Packaging Solutions - Barrier Films

The use of barrier films prevents food items from deterioration by bringing down or preventing oxygen as well as water vapor penetration. The films are becoming popular as the volume of prepackaged foods grows. This helps sales outlets bring down the labor expenses of on-site packaging.

Some benefits of Barrier Films 

• Shields food from ultra-violet rays 
• Does not allow oxygen to enter the food package 
• Does not permit odors to penetrate the package 
• Ramps up moisture barrier properties 
• Boosts gas barrier properties 

Barrier films are employed in most food packaging solutions particularly in thin plastic-based items. As the quality of food packaging solutions is dependent on the efficacy of the barrier it is imperative to choose the suitable kind of film for your specific purpose.

Minimum Oxygen Transfer Rate 

One major factor to take into account is the oxygen transfer rate (OTR) of the pertinent film. OTR put simply is the quantity of oxygen that a barrier film permits to go through it. In majority of the food packaging solutions lesser oxygen is preferred. As high barrier films possess an oxygen permeability of 10 cc and lesser they are widely employed in food packaging applications.

As barrier films are versatile as well as reliable the former is surging in use year by year by the food packaging industry. There are a plethora of barrier films available today. Each provides unique advantages for different kinds of food items.

Ethylene vinyl alcohol barrier film is perfect for fish, meat as well as poultry packaging. The reason being the former possessing an OTR of 0.6.

Polyester(PET) is employed as a laminating substrate. The former’s advantages are heat resistance, potent oxygen barrier as well as superior durability. If laminated to certain miscellaneous materials it is an effective barrier to water as well as shields food products from UV rays.

Nylon is engineered to be microwaved or cooked as a result of its superior strength as well as relatively high melting point. Hence the former is widely used as well as popular in food packaging solutions. Polypropylene is a transparent, high barrier as well as flexible film offering excellent OTR as well as potent moisture barrier. LLDPE (Linear low-density polyethylene) offers transparency as well as excellent OTR perfect for flexible fresh produce food packaging.

Various combinations of the above barrier films are also leveraged in food packaging solutions.