Innovia Films launches sustainable label and packaging film line in Germany
Innovia Films, a global leader in material science and manufacturer of BOPP films for labels, graphics, packaging, and tobacco, has unveiled a new specialty film production line at its Schkopau facility near Leipzig, Germany.
Innovia Films has unveiled a new specialty film production line at its Schkopau facility near Leipzig, Germany.
The state-of-the-art line, which is 8.8 meters wide, is capable of producing 15-50 micron films with an annual capacity of 35,000 tons. Strategically located in the heart of Europe, the facility is positioned to serve a wide range of major customers efficiently.
The state-of-the-art line, which is 8.8 meters wide, is capable of producing 15-50 micron films with an annual capacity of 35,000 tons.
This investment aligns with Innovia Films’ ‘Better Future’ material science strategy, which emphasizes the development of sustainable materials for the label industry. By producing thinner films, the company not only improves material efficiency but also reduces the carbon footprint of the final product. This approach supports the growing demand from major brands for sustainable packaging solutions that align with their carbon reduction goals.
The new production line features the Linear Motor Simultaneous Stretching Machine (LISIM), a cutting-edge technology developed by Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG. It enables the extrusion of high-quality, simultaneously stretched films at a faster pace and with greater flexibility.
This innovation enables the production of simultaneously oriented polymer films with exceptional properties. According to Günther Birkner, President of Innovia Films, the LISIM technology offers significant advantages, including balanced orientation, which ensures consistent film properties in both machine and transverse directions—a critical factor for label and packaging applications. Additionally, the films boast enhanced optical properties, optional functional skin layers, and improved material and energy efficiency, all contributing to a reduced carbon footprint.
Giuseppe adds, this technology allows them to achieve superior film properties, delivering better quality for value-added products. Moreover, LISIM is significantly more energy-efficient compared to other BOPP film extrusion technologies, which directly translates to a smaller carbon footprint for the finished product.
The new production line will manufacture a diverse range of products, from pressure-sensitive facestock films for labels to flexible packaging films designed for mono-material retort structures. Lucija Kralj, Business Unit Director for Labels at Innovia, highlights the benefits of these innovations: “The result is thinner labels for consumer products such as shampoo labels, for example, that will help reduce packaging, which is also in the scope of PPWR.”
With this new line, Innovia Films reinforces its commitment to sustainability and innovation, offering advanced solutions that meet the evolving needs of the label and packaging industries while supporting global environmental goals.
