Efficiently and profitably delivering quality flexible packaging to the marketplace requires designing and manufacturing products that are both "fit-to-use" and "fit-to-make". The engineering function in a flexible packaging enterprise must attend to these dual design challenges. Flexible Packaging discusses the basic processes used to manufacture flexible packaging products, including rotogravure printing, flexographic printing, adhesive lamination, extrusion lamination/coating; and finishing/slitting. These processes are then related to the machines used to practice them, emphasising the basics of machines’ control systems , and options to minimize wasted time and materials between production jobs. Raw materials are also considered, including the three basic forms: Rollstock (paper, foil, plastic films); Resin; and Wets (inks, varnishes, primers). Guidance is provided on both material selection, and on adding value through enhancement or modification of the materials’ physical features. A ‘measures’ section covers both primary material features – such as tensile, elongation, modulus and elastic and plastic regions – and secondary quality characteristics such as seal and bond strengths, coefficient of friction, oxygen barrier and moisture vapour barrier. Helps engineers improve existing raw material selection and manufacturing processes for manufacturing functional flexible packaging materials. Covers all aspects of delivering high value packaging to the customer – from the raw materials, to the methods of processing them, the machines used to do it, and the measures required to gauge the characteristics of the product. Helps engineers to minimize waste and unproductive time in production.

Multilayer Flexible Packaging, Second Edition, provides a thorough introduction to the manufacturing and applications of flexible plastic films, covering materials, hardware and processes, and multilayer film designs and applications. The book gives engineers and technicians a better understanding of the capability and limitations of multilayer flexible films and how to use them to make effective packaging. It includes contributions from world renowned experts and is fully updated to reflect the rapid advances made in the field since 2009, also including an entirely new chapter on the use of bio-based polymers in flexible packaging. The result is a practical, but detailed reference for polymeric flexible packaging professionals, including product developers, process engineers, and technical service representatives. The materials coverage includes detailed sections on polyethylene, polypropylene, and additives. The dies used to produce multilayer films are explored in the hardware section, and the process engineering of film manufacture is explained, with a particular focus on meeting specifications and targets. In addition, a new chapter has been added on regulations for food packaging – including both FDA and EU regulations. Provides a complete introduction to multilayer flexible packaging, assisting plastics practitioners with the development, design, and manufacture of flexible packaging for food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and more Presents thorough, well-written, and up-to-date reviews of the current technology by experts in the field, making this an essential reference for any engineer or manager Includes discussion and analysis of the latest rules and regulations governing food packaging

Recycling of Flexible Plastic Packaging presents thorough and detailed information on the management and recycling of flexible plastic packaging, focusing on the latest actual/potential methods and techniques and offering actionable solutions that minimize waste and increase product efficiency and sustainability. Sections cover flexible plastic packaging and its benefits, applications and challenges. This is followed by in-depth coverage of the materials, types and forms of flexible packaging. Other key discussions cover collection and pre-treatment, volume reduction, separation from other materials, chemical recycling, post-processing and reuse, current regulations and policies, economic aspects and immediate trends. This information will be highly valuable to engineers, scientists and R&D professionals across industry. In addition, it will also be of great interest to researchers in academia, those in government, or anyone with an interest in recycling who is looking to further advance and implement recycling methods for flexible plastic packaging. Presents state-of-the-art methods and technologies regarding the processing of flexible plastic packaging waste Addresses the challenges currently associated with both waste management and available recycling methods Opens the door to innovation, supporting improved recycling methods, manufacturing efficiency and industrial sustainability

This is a complete illustrated guide and reference to today's plastic films for packaging. All significant aspects of plastic films for packaging are clearly and concisely presented: from materials, processes and machinery to applications and regulatory, social and economic considerations. More than 70 schematics illustrate materials, processes and package constructions. More than 30 tables provide important reference data in convenient form. The authors are leading authorities on plastic packaging films with first-hand experience in the R&D of many of today's widely used films. Published in cooperation with the Institute of Packaging Professionals.

There has been considerable recent growth in the use of flexible pouch packaging for heat preserved foods, which has generated new opportunities for presentation of products ranging from meats, vegetables, and rice and pasta ready-foods to sauces, desserts and pet food. Such products can be ambient stable or chilled and include many of the socalled REPFEDs (refrigerated pasteurised foods of extended durability). These developments have created the need for up-to-date guidance on in-pack heat processing of such products, to encourage and enable the adoption of good manufacturing practice. This document provides this guidance Based on CCFRA's long established Guidelines on GMP for sterilisable flexible packaging operations for low acid foods (Technical Manual No. 4), this extensively revised and updated guide has been developed by a group of representatives actively involved in the manufacture and development of these types of products. It takes in packaging requirements (preformed, reel fed and secondary), filling techniques, sealing conditions, processing (both pasteurisation and sterilisation) and transportation. It also includes information on recommended quality assurance checks and on pouch defects. Written with a strong practical stance, the guide will be of use to both food and packaging companies using flexible sterilisable packaging for food and drink products.

The Science and Technology of Flexible Packaging: Multilayer Films from Resin and Process to End Use, Second Edition provides a comprehensive guide on plastic films in flexible packaging, covering scientific principles, materials properties, processes and end use considerations. Sections discuss the science of multilayer films in a concise and impactful way, presenting the fundamental understanding required to improve product design, material selection and processes. In addition, the book includes information on why one material is favored over another and how film or coating affects material properties. Descriptions and analysis of key properties of packaging films are provided from engineering and scientific perspectives. With essential scientific insights, best practice techniques, environmental sustainability information and key principles of structure design, this book provides information aids in material selection and processing, how to shorten development times and deliver stronger products, and ways to enable engineers and scientists to deliver superior products with reduced development time and cost. Provides essential information on all aspects of multilayer films in flexible packaging, including processing, properties, materials and end use Bridges the gap between scientific principles and practical challenges Includes explanations to assist practitioners in overcoming challenges Enables the reader to address new challenges, such as design for sustainability and eCommerce