SABIC launches innovative TF-BOPE film for frozen food packaging

Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has launched a sustainable packaging solution for frozen food which combines a new polyethylene (PE) grade with film production technology.

When compared with conventional blown PE film solutions, it offers higher throughput and also has potential for down-gauging, making it attractive from both a commercial and sustainability standpoint. The solution is based on a mono web TF-BOPE film structure, which has a thickness of only 20 micrometers.

This thin gauge provides a potential packaging material reduction of approximately 35-50 percent compared with incumbent blown PE film. The reduced thickness of the packaging solution minimizes environmental impact and supports brand owners and retailers who are aiming to reduce their packaging material consumption. The new packaging solution is also 100 percent recyclable and fits mono-PE recycling streams.

This innovative packaging solution for frozen food is the result of SABIC’s close collaboration with film suppliers/extruders Ticinoplast and Plastchim-T, as well as packaging machine manufacturer Syntegon Technology.

Stephan Eltink, SABIC’s business director for PE in Europe, says, “At SABIC, we focus on delivering sustainable solutions and working collaboratively with our customers to help them achieve their ambitions and solve key industry challenges. By working closely with Ticinoplast, Plastchim-T and Syntegon, and by leveraging our innovation together, we have been able to introduce a new solution to the market that allows for more sustainable packaging without any compromise on productivity and consumer convenience.”

“This innovative packaging solution demonstrates the true value of collaboration. Stakeholders throughout the supply chain have had to work together to bring this to life: sustainability cannot be achieved single-handedly,” says Pierre Hamelink, Syntegon’s director of business, market and sustainability strategy. “Our research and development efforts are driven by our mission to deliver sustainability – without compromise. Our new PHS 2.0 sealing technology can process thinner films whilst offering the same level of sealing quality, product protection and processing speed as conventional sealing technologies."

TF-BOPE film made of SABIC LLDPE BX202 material offers tear direction, low tear strength and provides an easy unidirectional opening. It offers much better visibility of packaged products due to higher light transmission and lower haze. The company says the product's high gloss delivers "first-class design and aesthetics."

The 20-micrometer film was successfully tested on Syntegon’s vertical form, fill and seal machines, which feature the newly developed PHS 2.0 sealing technology.

The thin TF-BOPE film also requires less cooling time which increases packaging speed even more. During the evaluations, a constant speed of 130 bags per minute was achieved. For packers, TF-BOPE film delivers a robust sealing performance and increased productivity resulting from improved packaging speed. The thin gauge results in increased film roll efficiency which reduces logistic handling, storage space and transport costs.

For converters and brand owners, SABIC’s TF-BOPE film material offers a wide range of benefits that include good printability, cost-saving opportunities, higher yield, less consumption of plastic materials and lower packaging taxes due to reduced material consumption. It further reduces the package weight to product weight ratio, resulting in a more optimized packaging design.