Films, or films, of plastic materials are now recognized as the prince material for achieving good results for the packaging of a wide variety of products and for food wrappings, especially in the industrial field. They in fact combine in a single product several characteristics that are all, for one reason or another, particularly desirable for this application: they are indeed resistant, have excellent insulating properties, and can be printed in flexography to personalize them.
Films can be produced by combining different materials and their different characteristics, so as to make films suitable for the packaging of countless products, not only for food packaging, but also for industrial, particularly technical and durable. Once the composition of the film is defined, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, or even laminated film, it is produced and stored on reels, so that it can be easily transported, stored in storage, and used as needed with appropriate machinery and packaging machines.
The production mode on reels is ideal for packaging, on a large as well as on a small scale: in fact, one of the main advantages of film on reels is the possibility of mass production, thus with the greatest economic savings, and subsequent storage in warehouses, which allows for further savings in space and transportation, which consequently translates into another savings factor, making this product practical and affordable for companies.
Types of reels and films
The fields of application for films are almost endless: they range from films suitable for food contact that are ideal for making slim, lightweight packages for products such as confectionery, snacks, as well as dairy products, fruits and vegetables, to those that are more tensile and impact resistant, suitable for packaging mechanical small parts and objects subjected to greater stress.
Flow-pack reels are a special type of plastic material that is stored wound on reels, ideal for packaging single-serving products, or to make the primary packaging within multipacks.
Product packaging using plastic film on a reel has many advantages. First of all, it allows any type of product to be packaged. It is not packaging that will simply have to be filled with product, but it will be the Flow-Pack itself that will fit optimally with what it is to contain.
Depending on the specific application and the type of product to be obtained, for example for the special requirements of food films, it is possible to choose between films on reels made of polypropylene or polyethylene. In this case, films on reels are ideal for packaging, and in particular for making certain types of packages suitable for large-scale distribution: flow-packs and doypacks, which are among the most flexible and customizable packaging products on the market, as well as single-staple or double-staple bags, rather than variants of these models obtained by applying accessories such as zippers, spouts, handles and bottom plates.
Depending on the specific application and the type of product to be obtained, for example for the special requirements of food films, it is possible to choose between films on reels made of polypropylene or polyethylene. In this case, films on reels are ideal for packaging, and in particular for making certain types of packages suitable for large-scale distribution: flow-packs and doypacks, which are among the most flexible and customizable packaging products on the market, as well as single-staple or double-staple bags, rather than variants of these models obtained by applying accessories such as zippers, spouts, handles and bottom plates.
Each of these products will need special care in the choice of material and design, keeping in mind the product’s recipient, content, how the product will be used and enjoyed, etc: for example, the salad packaging will require a lightweight and transparent material, because it will need to protect the contents for a short time and clearly communicate its freshness, while that of mozzarella will need to be more durable and protect the contents from light and heat, as well as to prevent liquid spillage, and for this reason it will be made of a thicker, opaque film with a higher coefficient of barrier effect.
Polyethylene and polypropylene reel production
Celvil produces a wide range of reels with films dedicated to packaging food and other products. The reels are a solid cylinder on which plastic films are wound, which will then be used as packaging. The film can be made of plain plastic or with the addition of different materials such as, for example, aluminum.
In the food field, films on reels respond to market demand for an increasing focus on design, raw material savings, practicality and economy of production, without neglecting food protection and preservation. Flow-Pack reels, in fact, are mainly used in the food field because the packaging material adapts to the product to be stored and complies with the packaging regulations in force in this sector. The materials mainly used in these fields are polyethylene and polypropylene. The production of polyethylene reels is one of the areas in which Celvil excels in terms of precision, competitiveness and timely advice to the customer at all stages of design. Intended primarily for food packaging, their main characteristics include the ability to preserve a product, as well as non-toxicity, i.e., the ability not to alter the contained food in any way, preserving all of its characteristics.
The use of polyethylene Flow-Pack spools in the food sector makes it possible to market products that are isolated from the external environment to prevent them from being altered, as well as guaranteeing maximum customization thanks to the possibility of being processed by flexographic printing.
CelVil is also involved in the production of polypropylene (PP) reels, one of the most popular materials in the world of packaging because of one of its special features: the possibility of being laminated. The coupling of polypropylene with other materials, again in the form of films, allows to achieve specific insulation and protection performance, desirable both in the food field, as well as in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc.
Characteristics of polyethylene and polypropylene reels
Polypropylene and polyethylene are the two main materials for strength, protection and flexibility for packaging. Let’s look at the characteristics of these two types of films on reels:
- Polyethylene (PE) is the film of choice because of its light weight, flexibility and versatility. Its insulating properties also stand out: high resistance to chemicals and especially liquids make it ideal for food packaging, partly due to its high chemical stability, which makes it non-toxic and suitable for food contact. In addition, polyethylene is extremely versatile: in fact, it can be modified in its molecular structure according to production needs, resulting in low- or high-density polyethylene with different coefficients of resistance to impact and mechanical stress. PE plastic spools are suitable not only for the food sector but also for the mechanical and construction sectors: the impermeability and strength of the films, especially at high density, makes these materials suitable for protection against weathering and potential high mechanical stresses.
2. Polypropylene films , on the other hand, can be produced individually or laminated, and in this case they are called laminates. Such films combine the qualities of the different materials used, to achieve greater guarantees of preservation, insulation and impermeability: in a word, barrier effect, i.e., protection from light, heat, air, and moisture, qualities that are particularly useful for packaging food and chemical products, from cosmetics to household and personal cleaning products. Polypropylene can be products in transparent or white film, with treatments that make it metallic or even bilayer, to enable it to protect the aroma of foodstuffs even better.
Polyethylene and polypropylene reel sizes
The reels on which the plastic films are wound in both polyethylene and polypropylene can be produced in various sizes, customized to suit production needs, with no need to fit standard sizes.
Polyethylene roll
Polyethylene film is used for a variety of special packaging, as well as for the manufacture of packaging for finished products of large and small retailers. In particular, this film can be produced in certain variants, dedicated to specific sectors.
Transparent polyethylene on a reel, for example, is widely used by laundries to package washed and ironed garments: lightweight, flexible and inexpensive, it can be used for simple transportation but also for storing packaged clothes, protecting them from dust and moisture.
Another type of polyethylene on a reel is expanded polyethylene: this is among the most suitable materials for the protection of particularly delicate objects and is widely used for the packaging of housewares, household appliances, technological products, etc., especially inside boxes and packages. It is a very light, soft and flexible film and allows it to be produced in various sizes according to requirements.
Coils for packaging machines
Flow pack reels are designed to be used by the appropriate packaging machines, so as to optimize production time and costs and make the client company completely autonomous of the packaging steps.
Such machines work horizontally and arrange the film around the product so that it surrounds it completely, while a system consisting of a sealer and two heads welds the package thus created.
If necessary, however, Celvil offers an excellent service of contract packaging: we are equipped with state-of-the-art packaging machines, made of perfectly non-toxic materials suitable for food contact, which are sanitized each time they are used to ensure optimal packaging and according to regulations of food and other products.
This service proves useful not only for producing small runs, but also whenever the company requires a high degree of flexibility in the production of diverse packaging, in different variants of format and creativity: one of our consultants is available to define with you the requirements of materials, customization, timing to realize your project at the best qualitative and economic conditions.
Celvil’s long experience in the field of packaging makes it a reliable and competitive partner to turn to for the production of polyethylene and polypropylene reels to achieve aesthetically appealing, excellent quality and highly functional packaging: contact us to tell us about your project and to request a no-obligation quote!
