hubergroup, a Germany-headquartered specialty chemicals and print solutions company with a presence in India, has developed a solution – the new Gecko 2-Component Varnish 70GL426590, – which increases the heat resistance of 29 µm BOPE (biaxially oriented polyethylene) films from 120°C to 160°C.
BOPE films are known for their excellent recyclability, but their limited temperature resistance has so far been an obstacle to broader industrial applications. The company says the solution opens up new possibilities for the processing and application of this sustainable packaging solution.
Sustainability, efficiency, and recyclability
Thanks to improved heat resistance, BOPE films are now not only more recycling-friendly but also more versatile and faster to process. The varnish creates a broader processing window and reduces the risk of sticking to sealing jaws. In addition, higher sealing temperatures enable increased cycle times on machines, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the production process.
Another advantage of this innovation is that hubergroup’s Gecko 2-Component Varnish makes BOPE films suitable for pouch applications, which was previously a challenge due to the limited temperature resistance of BOPE films, the company stated on a release.
Technical features
The new varnish is ethanol-based and has been specially developed for applications requiring high chemical resistance. It is suitable for both flexographic and gravure printing processes and can be applied to a wide range of surfaces as well as for food and beverage packaging.
Its properties include:
Deep Freeze Resistance – Maintains integrity even at ultra-low temperatures
Superior Ink Adhesion – Ensures vibrant and long-lasting print quality
Exceptional Scratch Resistance – Protects packaging from wear and tear
Outstanding Water Resistance – Shields against moisture exposure
Brilliant High Gloss Finish – Enhances visual appeal and shelf presence
Robust Rub Resistance – Withstands friction and handling stress
High Solvent Resistance – Ideal for demanding packaging applications
Based on migration test results, the final printed varnish will comply with legal requirements for packaging of all types of food when printed on the non-food contact side.
Sustainable and practical
Additionally, the varnish is NC-free, making it future-proof concerning current and upcoming regulatory requirements for recycling printed packaging.
The BOPE film printed with the new varnish also contained a proportion of recycled polyethylene. This film was successfully processed into a pouch as part of the PlastikBOND project by the Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV) in Industry and Trade at RWTH Aachen University.
