Advances at ExxonMobil

A new coater being installed in ExxonMobil’s Virton plant will increase the company’s European coating capacity by 35 per cent and will be used to reinforce its OPP label business. Scheduled to start up by the end of 2004, it will also be used to apply coatings on a wide variety of substrates, notably PET, OPA and PE.

A new technology – Surfinex – has been developed to adapt the company’s uncoated films to the demanding printing process of the future. It is said to provide major improve- ments in green ink adhesion, mainly with NC/PU ink formulations, as well as better surface wettability and overall improved printability (see diagram). When printing rotogravure, staining and scumming are also reduced, the company claims.

Surfinex will be applied to OPPalyte MW247 and MH247 films, which are usually run on high speed presses, often in combination with cold seal. The possibility of applying the new technology to other films is also being investigated, including development of new coatings for enhanced printability.

ExxonMobil has also strengthened its range of Label-Lyte Lithor anti static films to include a variety of cut and stack, in-mould and wet glue patch products. Available in both clear and white with gloss or matt appearance, they are said to offer lower film gauges, higher label strength, identical dry and wet strengths, lack of mould growth in humid conditions, and better all-round consistency of key properties.

The Lithor range now offers glossy white, matt white and silky films, as well as an anti static lacquer, specially adapted to rotary printing techniques, and end-of-line sheeting and guillotining. New for in-mould labelling is 45 micron Label-Lyte XI447, specially designed for rotary printing.The metallized patch label film, 85 micron Label-Lyte XP280, launched at Labelexpo 2003, has now been joined by white and clear versions. For use with water based glues, they offer a moisture absorbent surface and anti static properties.

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