Toray Plastics (America)’s new Lumirror® STM Soft-Touch Matte film is a unique, matte-coated polyester film that simplifies processing and enables the manufacture of a robust, upscale, soft-touch matte lamination.

North Kingstown, R.I. – Toray Plastics (America), Inc., introduces new Lumirror® STM Soft-Touch Matte film, a unique, matte-coated polyester film technology that simplifies processing and enables the manufacture of a robust, upscale, soft-touch matte lamination. A package manufactured with Toray’s STM film has the appearance of a low-gloss, premium paper and a softer feel than traditional polyester film—characteristics that are very appealing to consumers.

Packages made by use of other soft-touch products have poor resistance to scuffing and abrasion. They can be damaged easily during transit and when larger packages are stacked in the retail environment. New STM film is inline coated using Toray’s proprietary film and coating technologies, which ensure overall high quality, consistency, and advanced performance. The STM film, with its superior coating adhesion and durability, offers excellent print adhesion, has no silicone transfer, and resists pick-off, scuffing, and abrasion. The STM film also offers a high, consistent co-efficient of friction (COF) that helps larger bags to stay in place when stacked.

Pet food manufacturers, in particular, are very interested in the new STM film, especially as a solution for their larger bags. Toray customers have observed that certain ordinary, offline- coated soft-touch products are very susceptible to damage, whereas STM is not. They have also found that the look and feel of the new STM film make it a perfect choice for smaller bags and pouches that are used for dog food and treats. The STM film can also be specified for use with healthful snacks, nutrition bars, coffee, and other applications.

“STM Soft-Touch Matte film is a game-changer on many levels,” says Justin Larson, National Sales Manager, Lumirror Division, Toray Plastics (America), Inc. “Customer feedback has been extremely positive. Converters have been very pleased with the way our coating holds up after printing and laminating. They see a notable difference in our coating technology with respect to ink transfer, coating adhesion, and scuff-resistance. Processing has been excellent, and the finished package retains its distinctive attractiveness. It’s a powerful tool to help differentiate a product and highly effective for use with new-product introductions and rebranding.”

Larson explains why Toray’s new polyester film technology is unique. “Traditional polyester films are glossy and serve their purpose very well. However, by combining a new inline, proprietary coating with our unique PET base film, Toray has eliminated a secondary step and created a film that is more robust and consistent than ordinary offline-coated films.” He also notes that Toray’s proprietary thin coating enables the manufacture of a thinner base film, which offers yield advantages.

Toray’s Lumirror polyester films are renowned for their excellent thermal stability and superior mechanical properties, including high strength, dimensional stability, optical clarity, precision surface characteristics, and excellent barrier durability. The STM film is typically reverse printed with the matte side out and then laminated to a sealant web, or it is extrusion coated for the thermal lamination market. It is available in a 48 gauge.