Innovia extends line of floatable polyolefin shrink films

Innovia Films, which manufactures polyolefin film materials for labels and packaging, has extended its product range of floatable polyolefin shrink films.

The new addition is a low-density white film made from polyolefin (WAPO) that maintains floatability when printed. This opaque film contributes to the light-blocking properties of shrink sleeves that can later be applied to containers for industries that are light-sensitive such as dairy, food supplements, nutritional products and cosmetics.

‘We have seen a need in the market to create an opaque film that floats and can be combined with transparent PET bottles,’ said Simon Huber, managing director, Innovia Europe. ‘Many light-sensitive products are packed in HDPE bottles that are not recycled back into food grade packaging — at least not at the moment.’

He continued: ‘This innovation is a gamechanger and can enable dairy brands and other companies that have light-sensitive products to switch to a transparent PET bottle that can and will be recycled back into food grade packaging — closing the loop.’

The move comes amid the European Commission’s push to make all packaging recyclable by 2030 in the European Union.

‘The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWR) that is being created by the EU will be a big driver of design for recycling,’ said Lucija Kralj, business unit director, Labels EMEA. ‘As all packaging will need to be recyclable by 2030, and certain recycled content targets will be mandatory, a transparent PET bottle with a floatable sleeve that automatically detached during sorting and recycling is the ideal solution. We have patented the film solution that will be manufactured in Poland but will be available globally.'

Similar to its clear film range, RayoFloat white APO facilitates easy separation and removal of labels from PET bottles and other types of plastic containers in the recycling process. It automatically detaches during sorting and recycling in the sink and float process, enabling a high yield of high-quality PET flakes that are the basis of food grade recycling.

The film, which contains up to 20 percent post-industrial recycled content, also supports a closed loop in the production facility.

The film will be produced at the European Innovia site in Płock, Poland. It comes on the heels of its thinner RayoFloat APO45 film introduced last year.