Ampac Flexibles Announces Commercialization of Wide-Width Saran(TM)-Based Coextruded Barrier Films
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Cincinnati, OH (September 26, 2005) -The Ampac Flexibles-Performance Films division of Ampac Packaging, LLC, is announcing the availability of the next generation of coextruded barrier films featuring The Dow Chemical Company's Saran(TM) polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) resin.
Ampac's effort with Dow has resulted in the installation of the largest multi-layer blown film line in North America capable of extruding PVDC. Recent advances in Saran resins and in multilayer blown film extrusion processing (including larger dies), now make it possible to coextrude wide-width clear, barrier film for many challenging applications.
Ampac is the first U.S. film manufacturer to offer the capability. Up until now, Saran-based flexible coextrusions have been blown via smaller dies, resulting in narrow- width films.
The Saran-based, wide-web capability produces film ideally suited for standard converting equipment producing laminations and/or rollstock for end-use packaging applications such as coffee, cheese, soups, snack foods, cereals, sauces, processed meats, pet food and medical products.
"These Saran-based film structures target high oxygen barrier applications which are subjected to high moisture (65% relative humidity and higher). They are also ideal for applications where flex cracking in current structures is an issue," says Tom Crosson, director of sales, Ampac Flexibles-Performance Films division.
The oxygen barrier performance of films made from Saran resins, when compared to competitive materials, becomes even more favorable as humidity increases.
Unlike ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer- (EVOH) based films, the oxygen transmission
rates (OTR) of structures made with Saran resins are unaffected by humidity-either from the environment or from the moisture in the product itself.
The moisture vapor transmission rate properties of PVDC films are also superior to those offered by EVOH or nylon. Further, Saran-based films are much less
susceptible to barrier loss from flex cracking than metallized or coated barrier films or foil.
With slight variations in the film thickness (including the PVDC layer), longer shelf life and lower costs can be achieved depending on the application. PVDC-based films can also be used in conjunction with other barrier resins, such as EVOH and nylon, when additional oxygen barrier or toughness properties are required.
Saran PVDC also offers excellent flavor and aroma barriers. Unlike foil-based laminates, Saran coextrusions are microwaveable and allow the consumer to view the product at the point-of-purchase.
Ampac Flexibles-Performance Films offers more than 200 custom and proprietary film blends designed to meet its customers' specialty film packaging requirements. Capabilities include monolayer and multilayer (up to nine-layer) coextruded films.
Ampac Packaging LLC is privately held, and is owned by management together with equity backing by Key Principal Partners and Pouschine Cook Capital Management. It is a diversified flexible packaging company with nine operating sites in North America and Asia employing approximately 850 people with revenues in excess of $200 million annually.
In addition to products offered by the Ampac Flexibles-Performance Films division, the company is the preeminent supplier of domestic and overseas retail specialty shopping bags, and disposable, tamper evident, security bags. Additionally, Ampac Flexibles is the leading manufacturer and innovator in standup pouches and rollstock.
For more information, visit Ampac's website at: www.ampaconline.com.
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Please forward sales inquiries to:
Ampac Flexibles-Performance Films
12025 Tricon Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45246
Phone: (513) 671-1777
Fax: (513) 671-2920
Email: ampacflexibles@ampaconline.com
(TM)Saran is a Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Do
