To effectively shield dry foods from environmental elements, they are typically encapsulated within multiple layers. Standard packaging includes an outer layer, a barrier layer, and an inner layer. Depending on the specific barrier properties and shelf life requirements of the product, manufacturers may utilize anywhere from two to five layers, leading to significant waste. In collaboration with Panverta CPP, Henkel Adhesive Technologies has developed innovative films featuring an enhanced oxygen barrier layer, allowing for a reduction in the number of packaging layers—marking a significant advancement in sustainable food and drink packaging. Attendees can witness the results of this collaboration firsthand at Henkel’s booth 1C17 during Tokyo Pack 2024 from October 23 to 25.
Dry foods such as flour, rice, and pasta can spoil or lose their flavor when exposed to air, light, or moisture. Consequently, packaging for these products must be airtight, light-blocking, and moisture-resistant. Typically, high-quality food and drink packaging solutions that fulfill these criteria consist of multiple layers made from various materials. However, these composite materials often pose recycling challenges as they are difficult to separate. Through its partnership with PT. Panverta Cakrakencana, a leading film manufacturer in Indonesia, Henkel has successfully enhanced the oxygen barrier performance of metallized cast polypropylene (CPP) to below 0.5 cc/m2.day and CPP films with aluminum oxide coating (AIOx) to under 8 cc/m2.day. These jointly developed innovations ensure that essential oxygen barrier properties for dry food packaging can be achieved by transitioning from multi-material designs to mono-material polypropylene (PP).
“Henkel has supported us throughout the entire process, from initial trials to ongoing production,” says Marcus Hengky, Sales Manager at Panverta. “Thanks to the collaboration with Henkel, we have been able to increase the added value of our product portfolio and now also appeal to brand owners who want to replace traditional multi-layer packaging with thinner and more efficient solutions made from a single material. In this way, we are making a valuable contribution to the circular economy in terms of a sustainable packaging industry.”
Exploring New Market Opportunities with Loctite Liofol BC Range
Henkel’s contribution to this collaboration includes the recyclable Loctite Liofol oxygen barrier coating. The Liofol product range provides considerable advantages for film and packaging manufacturers through both offline and inline coating options. With its superior oxygen barrier properties, this coating facilitates a novel packaging design utilizing solely one material. This not only reduces the material consumption in food and drink packaging but also maintains the quality and integrity of the contents. Additionally, it is certified recyclable by cyclos-HTP and acknowledged by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for meeting the Critical Guidance Protocol for PE films and flexible packaging. Since mono-material packaging eliminates the need to separate different components, recycling quality improves while minimizing the effort and costs involved in the recycling process. The oxygen barrier layer can be applied to oriented polypropylene (OPP) and polyethylene (PE) films at high machine speeds exceeding 150 to 200 meters per minute, with a weight of less than 1 g/m² in both flexo and gravure printing methods, all while showcasing excellent transparency.
During Tokyo Pack 2024, this collaboration will be prominently displayed at Henkel’s booth 1C17 through standing pouches and laminated reels, allowing packaging converters and brand owners to observe, explore, and evaluate the impressive oxygen barrier performance.