Polymeric films with satin soft surface, yet strong
and durable are a dichotomy. But not anymore! Flex Films - the global film
manufacturing arm of Uflex has developed an innovative bi-axially oriented
polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) film with a unique velvety and luxurious
surface at its manufacturing plant in Elizabethtown Kentucky in the United
States. The new soft touch film FlexPet F-STF exhibits exceptional scratch,
heat and scuff resistance which has been a serious need-gap in the industry for
flexible substrates. The surface is self-healing from most scuffing and is
optimally durable.
Talking about the new soft-touch BOPET film, Dr.
Steven J. Sargeant, GM, Technology at Flex Films (USA) Inc. said, “If we
scratch the surface of this film, it won’t be scratched. Soft touch is rendered
through a robust surface coating, in combination with a proprietary in-line
anchor coating on the base polyester film. It is this combination which imparts
unique properties of self-healing, toughness and durability along with the soft
texture. This effectively increases converters’ yield as they generate less
scrap and have less customer rejections or other associated issues.”
Elaborating upon the properties of the film, Mr.
Vijay Yadav, Business Head, Flex Films (USA) Inc said, “The film has superior
tactile properties. In addition to a soft surface that is heat and water
resistant, the film exhibits improved scuff resistance along with ultra-low
gloss (5-8 Gloss Units) and robustness superior to commodity matte surface
films. All polymeric films tend to stick to themselves. This adhesion is termed
as 'blocking'. In the case of our soft-touch film this isn’t an issue to worry
about at all. Through the combination of base film and off-line coating design,
we have been able to avoid blocking, improve durability of the soft touch at
high processing speeds. This in turn leads to higher production throughput. The
film as you would see is thinner than previous low-quality solutions currently
available in the market. This clearly decreases material costs of the end-use
packaging at brands’ end.”
Speaking about the value proposition of the new
product, Mr. Anantshree Chaturvedi, Vice Chairman and CEO, Flex Films
International said, “This film is FDA compliant for a range of uses making it
further unique. It finds extensive use in luxury brand packaging, decorative packaging,
labelling, graphic advertising banners, and high-end stationery products among
others. F-STF film exhibits low gloss, excellent matte homogeneity with high
haze (>90%) and very high contact (see- through) clarity. This means that
the film can be readily reverse printed by convertors to impart deep and rich
graphics. The surface maintains its soft and luxurious feel yet being strong
and durable enough to withstand the ensuing rigours of handling throughout the
value chain. Tactile feel products have an anticipated CGAR of 12-15% and are
thought to be the highest growth segment in flexible packaging spaces in the
United States. This is an encouraging opportunity that Flex Films is pursuing.”
Sharing his thoughts about FlexPet F-STF film, Mr.
Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman & Managing Director Uflex Limited said, “This is
a classic example of value-engineering. My engineers at Flex Films by
addressing two rather dichotomous issues of maintaining a velvety soft surface
texture of the BOPET film while simultaneously ensuring good tensile strength
have given the convertors best of both the worlds. This is one of the very many
ways we keep enhancing business value for our clients globally.”
