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Plastics
Eur
ope
Next Generation Collation Shrink FilmSolutions from Dow
Colla
tionShrinkFilms
Collation shrink packaging is one of the
fastest-growing segments within the
European and global packaging industries.
The reasons are many:
Environmental concerns over resource depletion
(i.e., forests), energy consumption, post-consumer
waste and more associated with traditional
packaging
Trends toward bulk warehouse shopping
and multi-pack packaging
Desire to combine shipping packaging with
display packaging for cost savings
Achieve cost efficiencies by reducing
costlier paperboard packaging and printing
Create see-through packaging
to promote branding
As film converters and end users seek new
ways to make collation shrink work even more
efficiently for them, several specific needs
become as clear as the films they desire:
Need to downgauge films to below 45 microns for
average-sized multi-packs Need for high gloss/low haze films to
achieve ex-
cellent shelf appeal
Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company
Need for films capable of high-speed machining
Need for coex films to achieve both ease of
printing and appeal, while also fulfilling strength
and sealability issues
Need for excellent uniform shrink around
product form
Need for balance between films strength and
customers ease of opening
Need for product differentiation potential in
film products
Need to reduce costs for packaging
Whats equally clear is that Dow is well-suited
to answer these needs. Consider Dows
strength in LDPE and LLDPE resins, the two
major resins utilized within the shrink market.
Then, add in Dows extensive knowledge of
coextrusion films and its history for creating
perfect fits for specific industries.
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Features & BenefitsCombining excellent optics and shrinkage
with a
choice of stiffness and abuse resistance, thesepackaging
solutions offer an attractive way for
converters and brand owners to maximize the
benefits of collation shrink film products.
Gloss
In lab testing, versus existing competitive market
samples, selected Dow solutions based on the
herein listed resins demonstrated 15-20%
improvements in gloss. Such improved gloss
could add eye-catching sparkle and shine to
boost shelf appeal and customer awareness.
Haze
Haze is an unwanted aspect of film packaging
in general. Thus, the 30-40% reduction in haze
compared to the existing market samples should
be welcome news to every converter and packer!
Together with the improved gloss, Dow shrink
film formulations can offer excellent optics the
key to stunning film packaging.
Controlled Shrinkage
Overall Dow shrink film resins deliver anadequate level of
orientability and thus can
yield films with a high level of Machine Direction
(MD) shrinkage above 65% and adjustable
Cross Direction (CD) shrink rates. High shrink
tension levels in Dow formulated films allow
for exceptional package integrity and can be
used in numerous collation and overwrap
shrink applications.
Stiffness
Because packagers may desire different textures
for different packaging applications, Dowsshrink film
formulations can be fine tuned for
targeted stiffness levels, which provide a large
space for todays trendy downgauging.
For example, stiffness (measured in MPa per
2% secant modulus) can, in Dow films, range
from less than 200 MPa (soft and conformable
films) to nearly 300 MPa (excellent down-
gauging ability).
Converters and brand owners can turn to a single
source Dow for these solutions.
ConclusionsThe benefits are many for converters and
brand owners alike, and they lead to valuableconclusions for
both as well.
For film converters, these shrink solutions
from Dow offer consistent, high-quality LDPE/
LLDPE films capable of significantly advancing
the most important qualities of shrink wrap
creating potential for higher value and differenti-
ation of their products to their customers.
For brand owners, clearer films with eye-popping
graphics capabilities can create desirable
eye magnetism for the collated products. And,
the films balance between packaging strength
and consumers ease of opening can benefit
everyone along the supply chain. Finally, these
solutions allow brand owners to confront todays
tough environmental issues by reducing natural
resource consumption and post-consumer waste,
while lowering resin and energy consumption in
creating the packaging.
Available NowAll presented resins are available today to all
Dow customers for sampling and testing in anytype of collation
shrink and industrial shrink
film structures.
Please consult with your Dow specialist for
any specific requests on performance and
formulation.
Benefits for Film Converters
Improved Film Performance
Step-change improvements in gloss andhaze performance
Excellent mechanical strength and
processability
Simplified Operation
One-stop supplier capabilities
Easy processability and proven support
Reduced Costs
Potential to downgauge and lower resin
consumption
Improved Value
Opportunities for differentiation
Benefits for Brand Owners
Package Differentiation
High gloss and sparkle create appeal
Greater definition in printing allows
sophisticated graphics
Clarity offers good see-through brand
identification and recognition
Reduced Breakage Tough mechanical properties increase
holding force to decrease breakage
and waste
Lower Packaging Costs
Potential to downgauge films
Potential to reduce overall packaging
Address Environmental Issues
Potential reduction in other packaging
materials, reducing post-consumer waste
Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow)or an affiliated
company of Dow
Strength
Impact strength and tear resistance are among
the most important aspects of collation shrinkpackaging. How the
film reacts to potential
punctures and stresses determines its final pro-
tective packaging success. Dows proposed film
structures based on DOWLEX and DOW LDPE
resins deliver excellent performance in terms
of both impact strength and tear resistance.
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For more information on products, innovations, expertise, and
other services availableto you from Dows Plastics business group,
visit www.dowplastics.com and choose yourregion, or contact us as
indicated below.
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company of DowResponsible Care is a service mark of the American
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devices
include, but are not limited to, pacemaker leads and devices,
artificial hearts, heart valves, intra-aorticballoons and control
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This document is intended for use within EuropePublished March,
2009. Printed in Switzerland. 2009 The Dow Chemical Company
