Paper, Film & Foil Coatings
Paper, Film, and Foil are the most common materials used for flexible and
rigid packaging, labels, publications, and more. The application of specialty coatings
creates virtually limitless performance possibilities for new end use products.
And wax surface modifiers are often the key functional ingredient of these coatings.
Paper products are used to package food of many types, as diverse as farm-fresh
produce, fresh meat, seafood, and baked goods. Formulated coatings using wax surface
modifiers are critical to providing the essential barrier to water, grease, and
oil, plus compliance with the appropriate regulations for direct food contact.
Flexible film packaging systems - often laminated with foil or paper - are increasingly
popular and practical alternatives for packaging food and other goods. In the case
of food, surface modifiers can again be incorporated into the film coating formulation
to meet strict regulatory approvals for direct food contact. Other special film
performance attributes possible with wax surface modifiers include barriers to oxygen,
moisture and grease, as well as heat sealability (preferably at low temperatures).
Flexible packages are fabricated into various shapes and sizes, and heat sealing
is a preferred technique. Plastic films, such as biaxially-oriented polypropylene
(BOPP) and oriented polypropylene (OPP), are heat sensitive so Low Temperature Heat
Sealing is desirable to prevent distortion of the film. In this case coatings formulated
with a specialty dispersion can provide specific adhesion and low temperature heat
sealability. Additionally, these coatings provide an ink receptive surface compatible
with most digital and conventional printing processes.
A more general problem associated with coated film is its tendency to stick to itself
in the roll, making unwinding difficult or even destructive to the film. Modification
of the coating with the appropriate surface modifier will keep the film intact while
retaining all its essential properties, including compliance with food contact regulations.
