METALLIZED PACKAGING ADVANCES IN REPLACEMENT OF LAMINATED WITH ALUMINIUM PACKAGING

With the increased concern with the preservation of nature and the welfare of final consumers, growing concern about the fate of the post-consumer packaging and with the potential impact that the production of their raw materials may have on nature. The final consumer is more aware and the packaging value chain more aware of the importance of your role in this new scenario. Therefore, the development of new technologies goes through the evaluation of the environmental impacts of a new packaging and materials, both in the production process and after the use of the product. To a greater or lesser extent, some countries have already replaced the traditional laminated packaging with aluminium, flexible plastic packaging with metallized films. The substitution is more concentrated in certain categories of products such as tomato, milk powder and coffee. Today, almost 100% of packaging SUP (stand-up pouch) for tomato, in Brazil, are produced with high barrier metallized polyester films. This trend of migration of laminated with aluminum metallized films is also seen in the replacement of the rigid packaging for flexible packaging, especially porpouches. "The advantages are many. Starting with the simplified production process, to optimize logistics-packing, weight reduction possibility to occupy better modal space transport and storage area, flexibility of formats and open systems/re-closure, etc ", explains André Gani, Director of Sales Marketing & Terphane (www.terphane.com), the leader in PET (polyester) films in Latin America. Gani reminds us that we need to consider even the technological advantage inherent in the system of flexible packaging. "It's very easy to change the shape or size of the package, which allows you to closely monitor the new demands of consumers. In other words, this system ensures greater flexibility, speed of response to new demands of the market. " Another advantage speaks directly with the consumer's Pocket: the flexible packaging tend to be cheaper than the rigid, with the same-or sometimes even better-protection properties of the product (barrier). And this is an attribute that has been regarded with great affection by several market sectors, especially for the pharmaceutical and food industries. In addition to the lower expenditure, the flexible packaging and your production process have total guarantees of safety for the product; Another plus for medicines and the like. The food industry is already attracted to food security guaranteed by the flexible metallic. Environmental advantages on positivism, an American study FPA (Flexible Packaging Association) shows that the pouches have a smaller carbon footprint for the metrics of sustainability. For example, the production of a 230 g pouch for drinks consumes between 0.54 and 2.90 mega joules less energy compared to a rigid packaging-glass or plastic – with the same capacity. The studies also show that the CO2 emission is less during the production process of a pouchversus the other types of packaging. The empty pouches are also lighter and less bulky in transportation, occupying less space. There is a fee of 26:1 for the transport of glass jars empty trucks compared to empty pouches for packaging with the same capacity. In recent years, the replacement of drives for flexible, was clearly visible in Brazil in the line of cleaning products and personal care. The study of FPA presents evidence that the pouchestêm still a more efficient product/packaging fee and take up less space in landfills than other types of packaging. "Specifically the metallized polyester film from Terphane provide excellent barrier to moisture and oxygen. This barrier is checked by tests done before the movie out of our factories; they are tested in line, "explains André Gani. This is because the aluminum laminated packaging may present a risk of cracks (flex cracking) and micro holes (pin holes), while in the movie, this effect is minimized metal; the metallic material is also less susceptible to breakage during handling. To ensure total security, Terphane uses modern technologies of inspection during the metallization process. "Today we have a whole range of Terphane solutions that serve the industry, seeking to replace the aluminum foil. Are several processes and products that meet since the simplest requirements of appearance until very high barrier with full functionality, "adds the Director. The conclusion is that the pouches with metallized polyester films offer many competitive advantages for the brand owners. In addition to the metallized film is lighter than aluminum foil, generating greater income; If it produces more packaging units per m ². "With the advancement of production technologies and materials, metallic value proposition only increases, with the favourable points the appearance in the gondola, the shelf life and the logistical and environmental benefits", points out André Gani. Every innovation that emerges helps maintain the pace of growth of flexible. On a global scale, only the pouches market grew at a rate of 6.2% per annum in recent years. The prediction of Fredonia is the thread reaches an overall revenue of $ $37.5 billion this year (forecast made in 2015). If we consider only the UNITED STATES, the annual growth rate of 4.6% and has been the turnover planned for 2018 is $ $9.4 billion.