Syntegon and SABIC launch thin LLDPE pillow bag for frozen food material reductions

29 Sep 2020 --- Syntegon Technology and chemicals company SABIC are jointly developing a frozen food packaging pillow bag. The bag boasts a “substantial material reduction potential” of up to 50 percent compared to conventional blown PE films, such as linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).

The pillow bag comprises Syntegon’s new PHS 2.0 sealing technology and the 20 µm thin biaxially oriented polyethylene (BOPE) film from SABIC that offers the same puncture resistance level and barrier protection as 3 mm LLDPE films. 

The solution also translates to a cost-saving potential of up to 30 percent compared to 4 mm thin LLDPE films, highlights the company.

Click to EnlargeThe Syntegon-SABIC partnership enables material consumption reductions and increased output rates. PHS 2.0 sealing system
Syntegon’s sealing system includes servo-driven sealing jaws, an active knife and two-sided heated sealing strips for more consistent, high-quality seals. It can reduce the required clamped film surface by up to 6.8 percent and increases the packaging speed by as much as 25 percent – up to 130 bags per minute. 

The increase in speed is achieved by reducing the sealing and cooling times by 50 and 30 percent, respectively. Manufacturers can also maximize their film yield per roll and reduce film roll changes to reduce costs, save time and optimize storage space. 

Addressing the rising demands for eco-friendly waste disposal, the BOPE film is fully recyclable via mechanical and chemical PE recycling streams. 

COVID-19 spikes frozen food sales
Throughout the ongoing pandemic, Syntegon is taking note of consumers opting for frozen products, which is “fueling the frozen retail market,” a Syntegon spokesperson shares with PackagingInsights.

Click to EnlargeSABIC’s BOPE film is 20 µm thin and suitable for frozen food packaging material. “Combined with continuous growth in the food service industry, the frozen food market is expected to flourish.”

The company predicts annual growth rates of just over 5 percent until 2025, as well as products packed in bags and pouches, to account for more than a third of sales.

Frozen food products are typically packed in LLDPE bags, including pillow packs. “Packaging films for frozen products have to offer sufficient puncture resistance: the products can be very solid and sharp, such as French fries,” the spokesperson concludes.

In the food packaging sector, Syntegon recently brought aroma-proof packaging for coffee and heat sealing flow wrappers to market. 

By Anni Schleicher

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