Multilayer technology allows several materials to be combined to give a wide range of properties. This is particularly useful in packaging applications, where wrappings must not affect contents and at the same time protect from damage and exposure to contaminants.

New equipment is continually being developed to produce more and more layers in films. Sometimes an adhesive layer is required; material selection is a key issue. Testing and quality control are topics for debate. How do you make sure that all the layers in a multilayer film are intact, of the correct thickness and durable Recycling is now a key legislative issue affecting many plastics industries, mixed materials can complicate this process. The Rapra conference on Multilayer Films included top experts on processing, materials, applications, testing and recycling.

This first international conference on Multilayer Films brought together the plastic films industry: converters, manufacturers, machinery developers, test houses, materials suppliers, engineers and packaging end-users to hear about the latest technology and products.


SESSION 1. MULTILAYER FILM MARKETS

Paper 1: Market overview: multilayer films
Dr Francoise Pardos, Pardos Marketing, France

Paper 2: Japanese markets for multilayer films
Yasuhiro Yugeta, Sumitomo Bakelite, Japan

SESSION 2. FILM FINISHES

Paper 3: Ensuring integrity and authenticity through functional multilayered coated films
Richard Burhouse, Payne, UK

Paper 4: Metallised films
Dipl.-Ing. Carlos Ribeiro, Hartec Anlagenbau GmbH, Germany

Paper 5: Enhanced brightness and chromaticity of effect pigments in multilayer plastic films
Doreen Becker, Engelhard, Germany

Paper 6: "Multilayer water-quenched blown film" - the clear choice
Bill Wybenga, Peter Bicak, Sven Hafenberg and Mary Harvey, Brampton Engineering, Canada

SESSION 3. PROCESSING AND QUALITY CONTROL

Paper 7: Pilot plants for the development of multilayer films
Gnter Mllerferli, Dr Collin, Germany & Andreas Mayer, Dow Europe GmbH, Horgen, Switzerland

Paper 8: Analysis & evaluation of multilayer films
David Edwards, Edwards Analytical, UK

Paper 9: Thickness measurement system for multilayer films
Christian Florin, Arsenco AG, Switzerland

Paper 10: Multilayer Film Production
Marcello Zorloni, B-PACK SpA & Marco Bonetti, Gruppo Colines SRL, Italy

SESSION 4. ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF MULTILAYER FILMS

Paper 11: Recycling of multilayer films
Rod Fox, Evolution Projects (UK) Ltd

Paper 12: The potential for land-based industry to produce feedstock for the manufacture of multilayer films
Melvyn Askew, Central Science Laboratory, UK

SESSION 5. TECHNOLOGY & APPLICATIONS

Paper 13: Solutions from Film Land
David Haskins, Super Film Europe S.A.

Paper 14: Multilayer films for modified atmosphere packaging
Michelle Jackson, Air Products PLC, UK

Paper 15: High barrier laminated solutions for the pharmaceutical and medical market
Johan Declerck &Michiel van den Berg, Tekni-Plex, Belgium

SESSION 6. MATERIALS FOR MULTILAYER FILMS

Paper 16: Advances in PP resin innovations for lamination, stand up pouches and coextrusion
Anton Wolfsberger, Borealis GmbH, Germany

Paper17: Selection of the adhesive resin for multilayer structures
Roman Jaroszewski, Mitsui Chemicals Europe GmbH, Germany

Paper 18: The latest innovations in PA 6 for multilayer barrier film
Yannick Chardebas, DSM Engineering Plastics, Netherlands