Brampton Engineering, a Davis-Standard company based in Brampton, ON, has sold its AquaFrost water quenched blown film technology to Vishakha Polyfab of India.
Vishakha Polyfab provides packing solutions for liquids, solid, semi liquid, edible oil, dairy products to processed, frozen and hot food, dried food, agro products, aromatic products, spices, flour, non-food and other industrial products.
Watch Vishakha Polyfab video:
Brampton Engineering’s (BE) AquaFrost line, which uses water-quenching technology in the extrusion process, is a system used by manufacturers seeking advantages of cast and conventional blown film, with improved clarity and thermoformability, balance orientation, and increase flexibility with less resins, the company says.
Watch AquaFrost video:
BE and Vishakha Polyfab have been partners for almost 20 years with Vishakha purchasing India’s first BE 7 and 9-layer multi-layer barrier blown film line in recent years.
With growing demand of consumer goods due to rising figure of population, importance of vacuum bags and packaging films in food industry has seen great trends these days. The food and beverages companies opt for flexible packaging solution that help them keep the products or contents intact, fresh, and prevent from getting rotten.
It is important that food product is kept well using proper packaging until it reaches to the end customers and they open it. While there are many options available for packing edible items, most of the manufacturers opt for vacuum bags and packaging films.
Frequently used Materials in Food Industry
As stated above, the companies in food industry often think of multiple alternatives or material to pack their food or edible items, here are a few to name that are most popular among them –
Benefits of using Vacuum Bags and Packaging Films in Food
Film and vacuum bag packaging food have kept their popularity over the years as they are more adaptable and durable. Here are a few benefits listed that reveal why flexible packaging films and vacuum bagging are still on rage in the market
Vacuum or film packaging procedures help preserve both solid and liquid foodstuff
They provide freshness for varying length of time in preserving the edible items
Packaging keeps deterioration of food at bay as they prevent microorganism entering the packet. Especially vacuumed packed food doesn’t have oxygen or any air inside which is necessary for bad bacteria to grow
Such packed food can be saved from damaging. The food packs when sent across the world are quite prone to get damaged in transportation by trucks, vessels, or even tempos.
The importance of vacuum bags and packaging films in food industry is due to its protection to food from surrounding air or water which could be polluted
Flexible films and vacuum packing can be of any size and shape. This helps in wrapping any type of liquid or solid foodstuff
Such packing is extremely light weight and therefore, they are easy to carry and the net weight of food won’t be highly affected
Manufacturers can customize or tailor the shape of the food packaging if they use special laminated films or flexible films
Barrier multilayer pouches help in keeping food extra safe due to their multilayer protection
Tray lidding films can help preserve the integrity of the food or beverage within
The plastic used in the packaging is of special type which is easy to use and recycle; this way, they are environmental friendly
Apart from that, the latest technology used in vacuum bags and packaging films in food industry allow the manufacturers to brand their companies as they can print and put any custom design. In coming years, such packaging industry is likely to only grow. Internationally, transporting foodstuffs from one place to another is in demand due to globalization; therefore, the importance of vacuum bags and packaging films in food industry cannot be ignored.
Lamination adhesives are widely applied in the
flexible packaging industry and are ideal for busy packaging
environments. Their design, layers, chemical properties, film strength,
type of adhesive and bonding methods play an imperative role in
achieving unique packaging characteristics.
The performance of a laminated film adhesive depends
on the mechanical properties, ability to prevent moisture and gas
entry, ease of sealing, printability and cost. They may be rigid of
flexible.
Production Techniques
To produce the suitable package, a thin layer of
plastic materials is extruded and then bonded to another layer of
dissimilar material. Different materials are selected so as to match
various packaging properties. For example one layer may be selected to
provide high mechanical strength while the other layer may provide
great barrier and sealing properties. These materials are then bonded
using an adhesive. The co-extrusion process may involve many layers
being extruded and bonded together. The main production techniques
involve dry bonding, wet bonding, ultraviolet curing and thermal
adhesion process.
Laminating Adhesives and Applications
The laminating adhesive plays an imperative role in
bonding the laminates. In addition to its bonding ability, the
adhesive must have other superior characteristics such as chemical
(mixing ratio, shelf life and curing time), physical (density,
molecular weight, viscosity drying speed and wetting behavior) and
performance (bonding strength, resistance to environmental process,
and resistance to corrosion, adaptability and laminating conditions).
Suitability for Different Packaging Materials
Laminated film
is suitable for different packaging processes. By adding different
coextruded layers, it is possible to alter the film properties such as
decreased gas/ oxygen permeability, puncture resistant, resistance
to heat, water and solvent proofing, superior optical properties,
electrical insulation or conductivity, anti fog properties and ability
to resist oil as well as chemical attack.
3 Layer Co-Extruded Lamination Films
These are low strength films with have three layers
of 2 or 3 dissimilar materials bonded using different configurations.
For two materials the arrangement can be A\B\A or A\A\B depending on
use. Lamination Films are cheaper and provide adequate packaging for food, shampoos, snacks, detergents and edible oils.
5 Layer Co-Extruded Lamination Films
These are medium strength laminates that use special
adhesives to increase strength. They are applied in packaging
chemicals, soap, industrial products, medical and pharmaceutical
products and hot filling juices. They comprise of five different layers
of brown extrusions that are joined using adhesives. They can be
EVOH based 5 layer films. They are used to create barrier from water,
gas, aroma and flavor. They are resistance to chemicals, cracks, UV
and are easily printable. They are also used in packaging reactive
materials such as fruits and meat this can discolor the package.
Since some film prevent aroma loss, the film can be used to pack
spices, juice, toothpaste and juice. Special films also allow
packaging of pesticide and fungicides.
7 And 9 Layer Co-Extruded Lamination Films
7 and 9 layers films offer extensive advantages and
replace aluminum packaging which is expensive. The different layers
provide great sealing and properties such as oxygen, gas and carbon
dioxide barrier; transparency, odors, high strength; easy printability,
water proofing among others. They are used for packaging refrigerated
products such as meat, poultry, cheese and unrefrigerated products
such as powder milk, nuts, pet food and wine.
