BOPP films (Biaxially Oriented PolyPropylene Films) are produced by stretching polypropylene film in both machine direction and transverse direction. BOPP film is used in vast range of applications comprising packaging, labeling and lamination. BOPP Films are preferred substrate for food packaging globally because of its inherent moisture barrier properties, seal ability, high clarity and graphic reproduction and shelf appeal, best possibilities of the pack being a mono layer/homogeneous structure. For food packaging, it is prominently used as co-extruded heat sealable reverse printable film. In labeling, it is preferred because of its yield benefit (Lowest density of 0.55 for IML orange peel effect), recyclability with PP containers et al. BOPP Films has a strong demand globally which is driven by expanding flexible packaging industry.
5 advantages of BOPP film
Shelf life extension
Among all other commonly used plastic films, BOPP films provides excellent moisture barrier & its metallised variant provides better oxygen barrier to product. Both these properties of BOPP films play a key role in food packaging to extend the shelf life of products & thus reduce food waste.
Product quality
Apart from barrier properties, BOPP film provides consistent and excellent seal integrity because of narrow gauge spread. Good heat seal strength, lower seal initiation temperature, broad sealing window and good machinability further benefits into food packaging industry for protecting food quality.
Sustainability
BOPP film has a relatively low carbon footprint as compared to other plastic films substrate such as polyester. After cellulose film, BOPP Film is the second most preferred substrate for its ecofriendly nature in flexible food packaging. Because of its low melting point, it requires lower energy to convert from one form to other. Reprocessed granules of BOPP resin are widely used to manufacture injection molded parts, household items like sitting mats, chair, table, automobile spares etc.
Aesthetic / Graphics
Excellent transparency in clear BOPP films allows providing high level of aesthetic appeal to product packaging. Half tone printing jobs with multi colour printing are also carried out with ease on this film for high quality graphics. In white opaque film variant, excellent gloss, high opacity and superb whiteness provides an attractive look to product packaging. Metalized film variety gives superior metallic appearance to stand out your product on the shelf. Because of good surface tension, post lamination operations like foil stamping, UV spot coating and embossing could be carried out to enhance aesthetic look of product packaging.
Density
It is a unique property that BOPP films has among all other commonly used flexible packaging films. Low density results into more yield during conversion and thus supports less plastic consumption concept per product. Low density results into less weight per roll for the same length of other plastic film which provides ease of material handling.