BOPP film, or Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene film, is a highly versatile material widely used across industries such as packaging and labeling. This material is well-known for its exceptional strength, transparency, and flexibility, making it an ideal choice for improving product presentation and preservation. This article will explore everything you need to know about BOPP film, its characteristics, and the manufacturing process.
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BOPP (Biaxially-Oriented Polypropylene) film is a type of plastic film made by stretching polypropylene resin in two perpendicular directions. This process, called biaxial orientation, enhances the film’s strength, flexibility, and durability, making it resistant to tearing, puncturing, and other forms of damage.
BOPP film is widely used across industries, especially in packaging, labeling, and laminating. Known for its moisture barrier properties, heat sealability, and high clarity, BOPP film is a preferred choice for food packaging. It is also recyclable and compatible with polypropylene (PP) containers, making it an eco-friendly option. Its global demand continues to grow, driven by the expansion of the flexible packaging sector.
BOPP film is renowned for its versatile properties, making it an essential material in packaging industry. Here are some key properties of BOPP film:
The most popular product is BOPP ordinary film, also called glossy film. It can be made waterproof by laminating glossy film on top of the non-waterproof pressure sensitive label material. The glossy film may protect the printed ink content, making the label’s surface scratch-resistant and more durable. Glossy film is frequently used in printing, food, and product packaging.
Metallized BOPP films are coated with a thin layer of metal (usually aluminum) to impart a metallic appearance and enhance barrier properties. This film is frequently used for flexible packaging of snacks, candies, pharmaceuticals and toiletries, providing superior shelf life and protection against moisture and oxygen.
BOPP holographic film is made up of thermoplastic. It is a visually attractive film, featuring holographic patterns. These films are available in both transparent and opaque. This type of lamination is mostly used to enhance brand packaging. It is mostly used in food, cosmetic, tobacco and alcohol packaging. It finds its applications in gift wrapping, security labels and decorative materials.
The principal way matte film produces its matt effect is by absorbing and reflecting optical fibers. Generally speaking, it can raise the quality of the printed surface, but the cost is quite expensive. It is frequently boxed up. Used in luxury or food packaging. Since matte film frequently lacks a heat-sealing layer, it is frequently combined with other films (such as cpp, bopet, etc.).
Printable BOPP film has excellent gloss and high transparency. BOPP films are known for their excellent printability. Therefore this film is an ideal solution when it comes to advertising or decorating a product. You can use both sides of treated glossy or matte BOPP films for this purpose. The printed side remains at the outer side while the inner side is joined (to the other film) with an adhesive.
Pearlescent film usually has its own heat-sealing layer for heat-sealing. The common pearlescent film presents a white, opaque pearlescent effect, has a certain light-blocking ability, and has a protective effect on products that need to be protected from light. Additionally, the pearlescent film is often combined with other films for food and daily necessities, such as ice cream, chocolate packaging and beverage bottle labels.
Step 1: Preparing raw material
The raw material system includes the process of batching, mixing and drying. The raw materials used in the production of Bopp film mainly include homopolymer polypropylene (HPP), stiffening agent, COPP, anti-adhesion agent (AB), anti-static agent (AS), lubricant and filler masterbatch.
Step 2: Extrusion
Inside the extruders, the materials are melted and brought to 200-230°C and then conveyed through the extrusion head, where they emerge in the form of foil.
Step 3: The foil cooling
The foil is then placed in direct contact with a cooled cylinder and immersed in a water bath to quench the melt.
Step 4: Machine direction orientation (MDO)
The film then passes over a series of rollers, which increase the temperature and prearrange it to stretch longitudinally (machine direction). The stretching is achieved by passing the foil between the rollers that run at increasing speeds. As a rule, the foil is stretched up to five times the initial length and, at this stage the polymer chains are aligned.
This stage allows the enhancement of the film’s mechanical properties, also, the thickness is reduced up to five times. After stretching, the film is heated once again in order to neutralize the stress accumulated during the stretching (annealing phase).
Step 5: Transverse direction orientation (TDO)
Once out of the longitudinal stretching zone, the film is gripped on both edges by a fast-moving chain of metal jaws (tenter clips). In the tenter, the film goes into an oven, where its temperature rises before being stretched transversely by the diverging rails (i.e. stretching in transverse direction up to 9 times its original width).
At this stage, the macromolecules align, this time in transverse direction, enhancing the film mechanical properties and reducing the thickness up to 9 times. Following the stretching stage, the chain and the film converge, so that the film neutralizes the stress accumulated during the stretching (annealing phase).
Step 6: Thickness measurement and flame treatment
The film reaches a new processing stage where it takes the automatic measurement of the thickness (along the entire width). Afterward, one of the faces is subject to the flame or corona treatment to make the film suitable for the following conversion activities, namely, modifying the surface, that is intended to anchor materials such as ink (printing process), adhesive (lamination process), or metal (metallization process).
Step 7: Reel winding
BOPP film is wrapped around a reel and is slit according to the requested dimensions.
BOPP film is widely used in the packaging of food and beverage products due to its high strength and durability, as well as its moisture resistance. BOPP film can be used to create a variety of different types of packaging, including stand-up pouches, vacuum pouches, and side-gusseted bags. These packaging types help protect food and beverage products from damage during transportation and storage.
BOPP’s smooth texture allows for precise printing of barcodes, intricate designs, and vibrant logos, making it ideal for labels and stationery. Its stiffness ensures optimal stability during high-speed labeling processes, minimizing tears and wrinkles.
BOPP films find use in various industrial settings. Their strength and moisture resistance make them suitable for wrapping machinery parts, bundling products, and creating protective layers.
BOPP films are used as backing materials for fabrics and tapes, providing structure and stability. It is also often used for textile packaging. Its transparency allows distributors and manufacturers to correctly identify garments packed in bulk. Thick garments such as blankets require packaging with high seal strength which is easily attained with BOPP films.
BOPP films are used to create clear pockets in binders, dividers in notebooks, and laminating pouches for documents. It is also used to create adhesive tapes and clear packaging that protects notebooks and pens from damage.
BOPP film is also used in the packaging of medical products and devices, including bags, pouches, and blister packs. These types of packaging help to protect medical products and devices from damage, while also allowing for easy identification of the contents.
The BOPP Films Market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 5.9% from to from USD 28.7 billion in to USD 45.5 billion in . The packaging industry uses biaxially oriented polypropylene films, which could eventually replace metal cans and cartons.
The demand for Biaxially oriented polypropylene films is steadily expanding as consumers seek more convenient solutions and options that are easier to transport. Pressure-sensitive types, stationery, labels, metalizing, consumer products, and other applications all use biaxially oriented polypropylene films. As the food and beverage industry increases around the world, it is recognised as the primary end-user market for BOPP films.
Due to increased expansion in end-user sectors such as food and drinks, medical, and personal care, the Asia-Pacific region is predicted to have a higher market growth rate in the Biaxially oriented Polypropylene films industry.
Packaging and manufacturing industries are also growing in the Asia-Pacific area, which is a major growth driver for biaxially oriented polypropylene films.
Furthermore, the Asia-Pacific area is experiencing increased demand in the retail and e-commerce sectors, where Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene films are widely used.
Yes, the Biaxially oriented polypropylene film is recyclable. While recycling, it doesn’t degrade as much as other films. BOPP films can be easily recycled by mixing them in a polypropylene recycling stream. Almost every product made from polypropylene (including BOPP) can be recycled into polymer pallets that can be used for a variety of industrial and commercial applications.
In conclusion, BOPP films continue to evolve to meet the dynamic demands of the packaging industry, offering an extensive array of types, applications, and innovative solutions. From plain films to high-barrier and bio-based alternatives, BOPP films play a pivotal role in enhancing product visibility, shelf life, and sustainability across various sectors.
BOPET and BOPP films are the most common flexible packaging films. However, they have different properties. Therefore, choosing the precise film is vital to the product’s safety, preservation, and appearance. This blog dives clients into the distinctions between BOPP and BOPET films, guiding them through their properties’ uses and assisting them in choosing the best one according to their requirements.
Choosing packaging film is not just a matter of cost; this directly affects the sustainability and shelf life of the product. Packaging films have diverse degrees of chemical, cold, heat resistance, barrier properties, and mechanical strength, making the right choice important for manufacturers and consumers.
Compared with the non-stretch film, biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film undergoes transverse and longitudinal stretching deformation in molding. Thus, the arrangement of its molecular chains or chain segments will change, significantly improving the film’s performance.
BOPP film has excellent mechanical strength, chemical, cold, and heat resistance, a good barrier, and a low price. It has become the most widely used packaging material, known as the “packaging queen.”
Key features of BOPP Films
Enhancement in better functioning of BOPP Films
Although BOPP film has many excellent properties, its chemical structure does not contain active groups. Meanwhile, it becomes difficult to wet and bind for many reasons, such as high crystallinity, low surface energy, chemical inertness, surface pollution, and a weak boundary layer.
The poor wettability greatly limits the application of the BOPP film in ink, adhesives, composite materials, heat sealing, and coating areas. Therefore, the secondary treatment of the BOPP film is necessary to improve its wettability and adhesion.
As a major manufacturer in China, CLOUD FILM offers an extensive range of BOPP films, encompassing gloss, thermal lamination, adhesive-free lamination, metalized, anti-fog, anti-scratch, coated, cigarette, and heat sealable films. These diverse BOPP films provide customers with high-quality products and the best packaging solutions.
Biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) thin films are among the most exciting products for packaging applications. Their increased utilization is due to their outstanding properties, such as oxygen and water vapor barrier, high tensile strength, and complete recyclability.
Key features of BOPET
Enhancement in better functioning of BOPET
Typical treatments carried out on BOPET films involve the utilization of atmospheric, low-pressure, and vacuum electric discharge or the application of chemicals like alkali solution, which improves adhesion performance by increasing roughness, or polymeric lacquering, such as epoxy, vinyl acetate, or acrylic resins, that acts as a primer for further lamination processes.
BOPET films from CLOUD FILM are available in thicknesses ranging from 6 to 80 microns and various types, including Plain, Surface-Treated, Chemically Coated, Matte, Heat-Sealed, Metallizable, and extra-clear. These wide ranges of BOPET films ensure the highest standard to meet customer expectations.
BOPET and BOPP films are widely used in the packaging industry; each has advantages and application scenarios. When choosing, consider the following aspects:
Heat resistance
BOPET film has better heat resistance than BOPP film. If the packaging material needs to withstand high-temperature treatment (such as baking, microwave heating, etc.), BOPET film is more suitable.
Transparency and glossiness
BOPP film generally has superior transparency and glossiness, which is suitable for packaging that needs to display the appearance of the goods, such as food, candy, gift packaging, etc.
Tear resistance
BOPET film has better tear resistance than BOPP film, making it suitable for packaging that requires higher strength and durability, such as electronic products and industrial parts.
Barrier necessities
Barrier properties reflect the level of protection needed against air and moisture. BOPET film has good barrier properties compared to BOPP film.
Cost
The cost of BOPP film is usually lower than that of BOPET film. If cost is the main consideration, BOPP film may be preferred.
Environmental factors
The environmental performance of both materials is also a factor to consider when choosing. Generally speaking, BOPP film has better recyclability and is suitable for applications with higher ecological sustainability.
If you need to package frozen food that needs to be heated in a microwave, considering the need for heat resistance, BOPET film should be chosen. If you need to package candy, mainly considering displaying the appearance of the product and reducing costs, BOPP film can be chosen. In summary, when selecting between BOPP film and BOPET film, it is necessary to consider specific packaging requirements and product characteristics comprehensively.
Finally, from a packaging expert’s perspective, quality and sustainable environmental goals are critical for a customer considering the development of flexible packaging films from manufacture to disposal.
After evaluating the differences in characteristics between BOPET and BOPP films, your packaging requirements, and cost-effectiveness, you must decide which film to use. Each film offers specific properties and serves different purposes, making the selection highly dependent on the product’s specific needs and the manufacturer’s goals.
Selecting the appropriate film can improve your product’s shelf life and sustainability, eventually contributing to greater customer contentment and an eco-friendly environment.