Bobst and Michelman have collaborated to improve barrier performance
In order to prevent barrier performance loss during conversion processes such as printing and lamination, Bobst and Michelman have collaborated on a system combining topcoats with AlOx coatings.
In response to industry demand for high barrier AlOx transparent films to be better protected during the conversion process, the two companies have worked together to create a system combining two topcoat formulations that have been developed by industry materials producer Michelman. One is a topcoat which gives protection to the AlOx layer during conversion; the second is a barrier enhancing topcoat which as well as having all the benefits of a protective topcoat also provides additional barrier functionality improvements in both OTR and WVTR to prolong package content shelf life.
‘Finding a solution to protect the AlOx coated films, produced by our metallisers, during more complex conversion processes in the flexible packaging industry has been a priority for our customers in order to retain their high barrier properties,’ said Juan Cano, sales director for the vacuum coating and metallising product line at Bobst. ‘Working in collaboration with Michelman and having the advantage of drawing on their extensive experience in the field of coatings has enabled development and application of these two unique topcoats to AlOx coated films using specially modified coatings platforms from our sister company Bobst Italia,’ he added.
‘We are pleased at the opportunity to work with Bobst in this unique opportunity to introduce new barrier systems into the market,’ said Robin Cooper, strategic programme manager at Michelman.
