Polibak based in Turkey have purchased two EXPERT K5 2450mm metallizers incorporating the latest BOBST innovations including the recently launched AlOx GEN II and the AluBond® process. The machines also include a high rate source, post plasma unit, a 700mm diameter coating drum which is the largest in the industry and the Hawkeye in-line optical density deposition control and defect monitoring system.
Continuing their long-standing relationship with BOBST, the purchase of these two machines follows Polibak’s purchase of the largest BOPP film production line in Turkey in 2018 meaning they needed to increase their metallizing capacity. The first metallizer has already been installed at the beginning of this year and is in production; the second will be installed next year.
Polibak is one of the leading plastic film producers in Turkey and has been producing BOPP film since 1994 with a production capacity of 180,000 tonnes of BOPP and 30,000 tonnes of metallized BOPP films produced per year across three facilities.
Next generation clear barrier process for sustainable packaging
BOBST have had a hugely successful AlOx process in the market for over 10 years which was developed for PET but with the current demand in the market for sustainable mono-material packaging material with transparency and a high barrier performance, it was necessary to develop this process further.
The AlOX GEN II process has been developed primarily for the BOPP film market and gives better barrier performance at a reduced optical density and transparency straight off the machine resulting in a High Barrier AlOx BOPP offering a solution to sustainability requirements; in combination with the right BOPP film substrate it shows great potential for a fully recyclable transparent barrier PP mono-material packaging solution.
BOBST AluBond® is also ideal for BOPP films and is establishing itself in the market as the standard metallizing process for polyolefin-based PP substrates. As well as providing excellent adhesion levels and improved dyne level retention on all substrates, when AluBond® is applied to BOPP films it provides enhancement of oxygen (OTR) and water vapour (WVTR) barrier performance.
Commenting on the investment, Ali Çalışkan, General Manager from Polibak said “Due to the increased demand in the market for BOPP film and the purchase of our new film line, we needed to increase our metallizing capacity. We already have a relationship with BOBST and are very impressed with their innovations and felt that their new AlOx process along with the AluBond® process would allow us to produce both transparent and metallized BOPP films meeting the barrier requirement of our customers. The first machine is already installed and running well and we look forward to the second machine being installed. With our inline coating investment for our latest BOPP line, we aim to open new doors with BOPP, Metallised BOPP and BOPP AlOx in the coming years”.
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