Constantia Flexibles has invested approximately €6m to meet increasing demand for specialty laminates with high property barriers for confectionery, coffee, dry food and snacks as well as processed meat industries.
The company installed two new blown-film (polyethylene) extrusion lines to manufacture film-based flexible packaging at its site in Weiden, Germany. .
One line at the Competence Center Film will be utilized to build in-house film formulations to enhance production efficiency and accelerate the time to market.
The second line will be used to supply pre-material for the Weiden plant and other film production sites located across Europe.
Constantia is planning to integrate the AlOx (Aluminium Oxide) dual metallizer to fabricate transparent and high-barrier film products in the upcoming phase.
In an effort to develop a barrier against aroma, moisture and oxygen the non-metal material will be mixed with additional barriers lacquers and films.
Due to the transparency feature, consumer can see the product surrounded by the packaging
Constantia Flexibles EVP of Food Europe Stefan Grote said: “These investments mean we are now fully integrated into the film value chain at the Hueck Folien plant in Weiden and will strengthen Constantia Flexibles’ credentials as a leading supplier of high-performance films for different food industries.
“At the same time, our Ebert plant in Wiesbaden, Germany, will focus on being a leading manufacturer of film-based Twist applications for the confectionery industry.”
The new hot-embossing technology is used to develop a film which has higher seal integrity than the usual standard polyethylene.
The film will have the same thickness as standard packaging but weighs 30% less comparatively.
It is applicable for tighter packs as well as for constant processing on packaging lines in winter and summer.
