North Kingstown, Rhode Island - CPGs and converters attending PACK EXPO International 2010 are exploring leading-edge films that offer performance, value, sustainability, and sourcing benefits from Toray Plastics (America), Inc., booth #2935. Toray Plastics (America) is the only United States manufacturer of precision-performance polypropylene, polyester, metallized, ultra-thin, and bio-based films for packaging and industrial applications. This year's exhibit includes the most diverse advanced film solutions ever presented by the company, a global leader in film technology.
 
"This is a remarkable time in the industry," states Milan Moscaritolo, Director of Sales and Marketing, Lumirror Polyester Film Division. "Although we face an uncertain global economy and issues of supply and demand, we have promising new opportunities in the packaging and industrial markets, including a continuing interest in source reduction and "green" products. More than ever, now is the time for insightful, flexible strategic planning and innovation."
 
Among the innovations presented are:
- New-Ecodear films, available in the United States and Canada, are compostable bio-based films made with renewable resources. Manufactured with polylactic acid (PLA) resin, the new, thin bi-axially-oriented Ecodear films include a metallized heat-sealable film that delivers good moisture and oxygen barrier protection and a clear film for use as an inner seal layer or a printweb. Food packaging applications include frozen foods, snacks, cookies, cereal and nutrition bars, and confectionery items. Packaging for nonfood items includes personal care items, fashion accessories, promotional items, toys, office supplies, and other retail goods.

- New-Torayfan TreaTear films are polypropylene directional-tear sealant films for retort gusseted and non-gusseted pouch applications.  TreaTear films work as the sealant layer in any type of pouch lamination and do not require laser scoring or perforations to make a clean, exact straight tear wherever one is needed. These new advanced films are drop-in replacements for traditional CPP and LDPE sealant webs. Applications include seafood, chicken, prepared entrees, rice, military MRE's (Meal, Ready-to-Eat), and pet food pouches.

- LumiLid printable and metallized polyester lidding films seal to a variety of tray substrates, including APET, APET-coated board, CPET, PP, HDPE, and HIPS. LumiLid films maintain seal integrity while offering an excellent peelable seal, deliver excellent machinability, and are economically competitive. Applications include FDA-compliant dual ovenable, sterilized, and hot-fill foods; fresh, refrigerated, and frozen foods; dairy goods; wet and dry convenience foods; desserts; beverages, and snacks, as well as cap lining for medical and pharmaceutical packaging applications.

- Metallized PET films include a wide array of high-oxygen- and high-moisture-barrier and decorative films from 36g and up, offering excellent metal-bond advances for high-bond strength in humid environments and thin gauge yield advantages. Applications range from demanding food packaging items, including foil replacements, to helium-filled balloons.

- Torayfan PC3 film is an advanced metallized polypropylene film that delivers twice the moisture barrier and three times the oxygen barrier of previous generations of Torayfan metallized OPP. It makes for an economical alternative to metallized PET and foil in tri-laminations.

- Lumirror high-clarity polyester films are ideal for solar control window films, as well as graphics and optical applications.

Visitors to the Toray exhibit are also learning about advancements in low-COF clear-barrier polypropylene film for PVdC replacement and PWX5, a heat-sealable metallized BOPP film. In addition, Toray is sharing its knowledge about the distinct advantage to be gained from partnering with a single-source provider who can enable film bundling.

"The depth of Toray's portfolio of packaging and industrial film advancements and its breadth of experience can help CPGs and converters meet any challenge," says Christopher Roy, Director of Sales and Marketing, Torayfan Polypropylene Film Division.  "Whether it's OPP, PET, metallized, ultra-thin, bio-based films, or all of the above, that end users seek, we offer smart solutions that can help grow business."