Packaging firms are increasingly adopting the Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP that was developed jointly by Fraunhofer FEP and Biofilm.
The project partners included Applied Materials, hallow cathode sources firm Vacuum Technologies Dresden, and power supply company ISA, according to financialpost.com
Mexico-based Biofilm started the first plant in 2009 and commissioned the second plant using the plasma technology from Dresden in Mexico, as the firm supplies films for packaging snack products and baked goods to achieve high-barrier microwavable packaging.
The new plant is now fully operational and coats transparent packaging films up to 2.85 meters in width, with a very thin aluminum oxide layer. Aluminum wire is constantly fed at speeds of 36 km/h through coating systems roller stations.
Plasma technology is used for enhancing packaging materials, in addition to medical implants, solar cells, optical filters and flexible electronics.
Biofilm special technologies product manager Gabriel Durama claimed that plasma technology was the best for clear barrier polypropylene packaging films.
Fraunhofer FEP deputy director and coating of flexible products head Nicolas Schiller said the technology can be used in economical coating of large surfaces precisely.
