Firsta Group has concluded validation tests on a high-barrier in-line coated biaxially oriented polypropylene (ILC-BOPP) coated base film developed in-house, with performance measures reaching the required level at 150°C.
The outcome represents a further stage in the development of ILC-BOPP for uses that involve higher operating temperatures.
The company’s ILC-BOPP production line was built with Brückner.
According to Firsta, it is the first industrial-scale ILC-BOPP line of this type in China and a step in bringing inline coating technology into wider use in the domestic market.
In the standard offline method, film is produced first and coated in a separate process.
By contrast, ILC-BOPP combines biaxial orientation of the polypropylene substrate with application of the functional coating during production.
Firsta said this setup is meant to streamline manufacturing while supporting the development of films with greater heat resistance, barrier properties and other functions.
The company has built a functional-film production platform spanning BOPP, BOPET, coating, metallisation and masterbatch.
Its high-barrier ILC-BOPP films are already being produced in batches for applications such as electronic component protection; food, pharmaceutical and medical packaging; and new energy materials.
The newly validated temperature-resistant ILC-BOPP base film is under development for uses that require both heat resistance and barrier performance.
Firsta said it offers another polypropylene-based material option for packaging and functional-film applications with stricter requirements.
The company will keep moving the temperature-resistant ILC-BOPP technology towards industrial-scale production and continue work on functional films designed for applications needing stronger barrier and thermal performance.
Brückner Group global electrical director Thomas said: “As part of our cooperation with Firsta Group, we redesigned and manufactured a customised Brückner coating system based on Firsta’s specific requirements and the needs of the global market.
"By integrating the coating process into the production line, the system significantly reduces energy consumption and enables zero VOC [volatile organic compounds] emissions.”
