New film hits Chicago: ExxonMobil debuts PET ‘flotation separation’ solution

Introducing the its new Label-Lyte 50TD200 shrink sleeve film at the Pack Expo trade show in Chicago today, ExxonMobil said it was suitable for customers who required transverse-direction (TD) shrink sleeves in the food, beverage, healthcare and consumer goods spheres.

Pack Expo also marks the debut of three other Exxon Mobil films, including Metallyte 70MET-HPP, an oriented polypropylene (OPP) film with a proprietary sealant layer, designed for use with chips, crisps and snacks, bakery products, biscuits, cookies and crackers and confectionery.

Targeted at the same sectors, Bicor 18 MAT-S is a one-side matte finish, heat sealable OPP film that offers weight savings of up to 5% compared to fin seal packages.

Raft of new launches​

In addition, two new OPPalyte films are also aimed at the frozen foods market, one of which, the 42 WOS-RH, is designed to provide consistent line performance, despite the condensation build-up that sometimes affects performance on frozen dairy production lines.

Laurie Cardillo, global marketing manager, ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Films Business, said: “These new products are pushing forward the boundaries of what can be achieved in flexible packaging and labeling, helping our customers to grow their businesses.​”

According to ExxonMobil – which cited an in-house LCA study from 2012 that was peer reviewed – its new Label-Lyte shrink sleeve film weighs much less than 50µm (micrometer or 0.001mm) PET and OPS (oriented polystyrene) and consumed less energy while producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Separable label demand​

Kevin Frydryk, global labels film market development manager, ExxonMobil Chemical said that closed-loop recycling of PET bottles was driving demand for low density TD shrink sleeve label materials that were easily separable from the container.

ExxonMobil said the Label-Lyte film allowed for creative, full-package decoration of complex containers such as contoured plastic bottles, aluminium and steel cans, aerosols and curved glass for “unique brand differentiation”.​

Since it offers a lower density (0.9 g/cc) than commonly used TD shrink materials, the company said its 50 micro polyolefin film provided yield advantages, as well as good receptivity to most inks and high print definition.