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CAN I USE COEXTRUDED FILMS IN LAMINATIONS OR REPLACE LAMINATED FILM TO LOWER PACKAGING COSTS?

 

 

 

The quick answer is YES, and in two significant ways. The first way would be to substitute or replace coextruded barrier film in what was formerly a plain laminated structure without printing. The barrier need should be examined to match up the oxygen barrier requirement and whether the film needs to have nylon on the outside of the web for automatic FFS or in pouch making a conversion.

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If the OTR (Oxygen Transmission Rate) barrier can be attained and package optics is not a concern, then there can be significant cost savings by switching to a coextruded film to replace a lamination.

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The second way to save money is to use the barrier coextruded film as the sealant layer in a lamination. For instance, NYLON or EVOH & Nylon, or some other possible barrier combinations, such as Nylon and, or HDPE (high-density polyethylene) for added moisture barrier; whatever the specific barrier requirement is needed in the finished lamination.

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But it is worth examining coextruded flexible films as a cost-savings alternative. With the correct use of coex films and careful evaluation of the packaging equipment and barrier testing, these coex films can be a great way to offset the rising cost and uncertainty of material pricing fluctuations in today’s competitive marketplace.