AIMCAL Awards
- Published: March 11, 2019
The Association of International Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators (AIMCAL) announced its category winners at its 2019 Awards Ceremony on the opening day of its Annual Meeting (February 26-28, 2019, Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa, Palm Springs, Calif).
Sustainability Award
The winner was a 90 percent post-consumer-recycled (PCR) content biaxially oriented polyester (BOPET) barrier film from Flex Films (USA) Inc. (Elizabethtown, KY), a subsidiary of Uflex Limited’s Films Business (Noida, India). Available in metallized (F-PCR/M) or clear aluminum-oxide-coated (F-PCR/A structures, the film represents a 75 percent reduction in carbon footprint versus virgin BOPET grades. Associated technology is both patented and patent-pending.
The judges believe the use of PCR content improves the sustainability profile of flexible packaging and described the F-PCR/M and F-PCR/A films as “a real recycling success.” In effect, noted one judge, “It takes waste and makes a first-tier product.”
Product of the Year
The winner of the top prize, the Spirit of Innovation holographic folding carton, stood out from the other entries in the annual competition. Designed by Hazen Paper Co. (Holyoke, MA) to help Autajon Packaging USA demonstrate holographic options for folding cartons, the graphics consist of printing precisely registered with multiple holograms including the woman’s eye, the snake’s tongue and three parts of the snake’s body. In-house hologram design, film production and laminating make it possible to take a custom hologram from concept to finished product in four weeks.
The judging panel also named three Product Excellence Award winners. Hazen Paper took home a Product Excellence Award for Hoola Quickie Contour Stick packaging, which consists of silver Ultracure acrylic-coated 48-gauge metallized polyester laminated to 0.0171 Invercote G paperboard. The metallized surface is offset-printed in transparent and opaque colors and embossed to give it a depth that reflects the purpose of the contouring makeup inside. A lime green color printed on the inner surface of the carton enhances its premium appearance.
Another Product Excellence Award recognized a patented and patent-pending barrier film from Flex Films (USA) Inc. (Elizabethtown, KY), a subsidiary of the Films Business of Uflex Limited (Noida, India). The F-TBF-M metallized, ultra-thin and ultra-high-yield biaxially oriented polyethylene therephthalate film offers a high barrier to oxygen and water vapor transmission and potential for downgauging, source reduction and cost savings. A high-speed vision system confirms consistent deposition of the metallization on the 8- or 9-micron film to ensure it delivers the promised barrier properties.
A Product Excellence Award was earned by PacAcel solventless laminating adhesive from The Dow Chemical Co. (Lake Jackson, TX). This patented and patent-pending product also received AIMCAL’s 2019 Technology of the Year Award. Benefits of the polyurethane-based, two-part formulas include excellent metallized film/foil adhesion, excellent heat and product resistance, fast, room-temperature curing, elimination of volatile organic compounds and oven drying, long pot life and easy cleaning. The food-grade adhesive strongly adheres to most flexible packaging substrates and is compatible with high line speeds. Potential applications include flexible packaging for an array of foods including aggressive alcohol-, acid- or oil-containing foods, pharmaceuticals and medical and industrial products. Eliminating solvent allows converters to improve production efficiency by more than 50 percent, reduce cost-in-use and meet strict global food regulatory requirements.
Technology of the Year
The 2019 AIMCAL Technology of the Year Award went to PacAcel™ adhesive, a solventless, food-grade, sustainable adhesive family from The Dow Chemical Co. (Lake Jackson, TX). Benefits of the patented and patent-pending polyurethane-based, two-part formulas include excellent metallized film/foil adhesion, excellent heat and product resistance, fast room-temperature curing, elimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oven drying for improved energy efficiency, long pot life for easy cleaning and compatibility with high line speeds. The adhesive strongly adheres to most flexible packaging substrates. Potential applications include flexible packaging for fresh food, dry food, coffee, ready meals, hot-fill liquids, aggressive alcohol-, acid- or oil-containing foods, pharmaceuticals and medical and industrial products. Eliminating solvent allows converters to improve production efficiency by more than 50 percent, reduce cost-in-use and meet strict global food regulatory requirements.
The judges also designated a Technical Excellence Award. It was earned by PET-F-HBP-M high barrier polyester film from Flex Films (USA) Inc. (Elizabethtown, KY), a subsidiary of Uflex Limited’s Films Business (Noida, India). The 12-micron structure (high optical density metal layer/corona treatment/biaxially oriented polyester/modified coating) is designed to replace foil in barrier laminations for food packaging and offers the potential for cost savings as well as longer product shelf life due to less chance of pinholes. The structure also offers superior gloss.
For more information, visit www.aimcal.org.
