UFlex’s product innovations in April-June

The following are the innovations that UFlex has to offer to its customers.

Flexible packaging business

3D pouch with registered window metallisation for premium brown sugar by Triveni Engineering: After its recent success with Triveni Engineering for the packing of its premium crystal sugar, UFlex has come up with a three-layered 3D pouch with registered metallisation for its premium brown sugar. The pack’s structure is made of PET / window metPET and NAT PE. Its structure provides a metallic sheen look to the pack while allowing consumers to see the packed content that helps them make an instant buying decision. Owing to its 3D structure, the brand leverages on pack’s standability at the base, and a side gusset that positions its premium brown sugar packs uniquely on the retail shelves. 

Profile spout pouch with re-closable option and easy pour experience for BB Royal cold-press cooking oil: Conventionally, edible oil has been packed in either a regular pouch or a rigid bottle. Such packaging formats often offer limited differentiation on the shelves for buy as well as its use that sometimes could be quite cumbersome with oil spilling while pouring it. This development made by UFlex for BB Royal Organic Edible Oil is a unique offering for edible oil packaging applications in which the structure is made of PET/BON/PE with a spout for easy pour experience. This structure has emerged as a viable solution for packaging edible oil, and successfully replaces the need for rigid containers. Beyond convenience and striking aesthetics, its three-ply packaging structure offers good standability that creates a unique shelf appeal on the retail shelves. The elegant look of the pack is achieved through a profiled format.

3D pouch with paper-based barrier laminate for Beachville Coffee Roaster: With the growing need for sustainability across the segments, coffee brands are turning towards more eco-friendly packaging formats like paper-based ones with attractive designs that make them stand out on the retail shelves. On these lines, UFlex has developed a unique pack for Beachville Coffee Roaster with a standable pack structure that offers good barrier properties to keep the packed coffee in the desired state. Its one-side valve helps retain freshness of the coffee and prevents extraneous factors like moisture, air and more from affecting the quality of the packed content. 

Chemicals Business

Flexbond SF WET LM 35 water-based adhesive for wet lamination application: UFlex has developed the Flexbond SF WET LM 35, a water-based synthetic adhesive designed mainly for wet lamination of clear BOPP & PVC films to paper or duplex board applications with manual or semi-automatic machines. This adhesive when used on paper or duplex board offers excellent gloss and bond strength and can be applied via a smooth roller coater. Being water-based, this product helps brands enhance their green footprint. 

Retort grade 2K PU adhesive Flexcote HP 875/ Flexcote HP 75: With growing demand for ready-to-eat food, the need for retort packaging formats is witnessing a sharp surge. Retort packaging formats allow packed foods to be warmed within the pack to be made ready for consumption. However, to strengthen the structure, adhesives play a major role in keeping retort properties intact, even when it comes in contact with boiling water. Understanding the requirements of retort pouching, the company has developed a two-pack solvent-based PU adhesive specially designed for high-end retort pouch applications. Due to its super strong adhesion, the pack can resist a boiling temperature of 131oC for 30 minutes with up to two kilograms of packed pressure. This development is most suitable for food and pharma packaging applications. 

Packaging films business

PET-based silica masterbatch solution for BOPET film: The packaging films business has enhanced the handling methodology of BOPET films with the development of a new PET silica masterbatch solution that controls anti-blocking properties in BOPET film development. So far, the flexible packaging business had been using 6,000-ppm to 10,000-ppm of silica chips that comprises of 7.5% to 12.5% dosing used of silica chips for film production that facilitates easy roll handling and prevents the film from blocking hazards like rippling, wrinkles and other. With the development of this value-enriched silica masterbatch solution with up to 40,000- and 60,000-ppm, the packaging films business has not only achieved higher anti-blocking properties but has also been successful to make a significant reduction in production cost. Additionally, with this development, the packaging films business has been able to lower the dosage level to 1-2% for film manufacturers. 

Engineering business

Toroslit-1650, a high-speed turret-slitter for wide web widths: With demand for packaging film on the rise, the need for a high-speed and high-performance slitter that overcomes the limitations of conventional slitters has been gaining importance. To meet the demand for high-quality slitters, UFlex has developed a high-speed turret slitter with a web width of 1650mm. Toroslit-1650 overcomes the shortcomings of conventional slitters that were observed during pancake applications. It is a floor lifting, self-shaft chucking, tool-less unwinder that ensures perfect tension control and winding even while handling low gauge films ranging from 8 microns onwards. The fast and continuous change over from rotary cutter to razor cutter further adds to the operators’ comfort while using the machine. 

Holography business  

Multicoloured holographic textile foil with new pattern for enhanced aesthetics: The post-Covid period has witnessed the emergence of a significant trend in the holographic material application field. Fashion brands are on a constant lookout for recognition by the use of new, attractive bright and shiny reflective materials that scream for attention and signify nothing less than a celebration. Radiating an extremely futuristic vibe, the foil-effect fabric has taken the fashion industry by storm. With this trend, fashion gets enhanced into a joyous atmosphere of reflection and radiance, making it more eye-catchy and vibrant. Catering to the demand for aesthetic rich development in the textile space, the company has developed an array of appealing textile foil options that can stunningly make brands stand out. This development has gained acceptance of many textile brands.

Fresnel lens self-adhesive holographic labelling solution to prevent counterfeiting and enhance aesthetics: Taking note of the pain area of brands on rising counterfeiting cases that jeopardise business interest coupled with the need for premium product positioning, UFlex has integrated registered Fresnel Lens technology in labelling solution to give a premium look by placing two lenses at the middle and bottom of the label. The Fresnel lens used on the printed area reflects light at multiple angles providing three-dimensional depth and look to the product. The combination of a Fresnel lens that is reflective from various angles along with vibrant printing produces an effect that is both aesthetically striking and instantly recognisable for scrutiny. The printing technology combines two major features — the first is the registered holographic substrate while the second involves doing a precise re-registration printing on the same substrate, making it next to impossible to replicate using a compromised setup. This application is used across several industry verticals such as FMCG, automobile, lubricants, apparel, liquor, agro chemicals, personal care and electronics. 

Plastic-grade hot-stamping foil for premium aesthetics on stationary products: In the competitive business landscape, plastic grade hot-stamping foil is gaining widespread prominence as it adds a glow to products’ appearance to make it stand out on the retail shelves. To help brands elevate their products’ look and make it grab attention, UFlex has developed plastic-grade hot-stamping foil solution that is used for a very wide range of applications. This special plastic grade foil is suitable for plastic surfaces such as PVC and PP. It is widely used for writing instruments, picture frames, wall clocks, etc. This development is witnessing big orders especially from the stationery segment.