Innovia Films, a leading materials science pioneer that manufactures BOPP films for labels, graphics, packaging and tobacco, has announced the launch of a new film coating line at its Zacapú plant in Mexico and will also add enhanced metallizing capabilities later this year.

"In addition to the brand new coater and metallizer, we have also invested in a dedicated slitter to slit rolls to customer widths, roll handling equipment, laboratory equipment and last but not least, IT infrastructure," explains Andrés Bernal, General Manager of the Innovia Zacapú plant. "These investments are the result of a strategic decision to produce various grades of surface engineered films locally in the Americas – some of these products have previously been imported from our European facilities. This will provide our customers with a local supply chain in reflection of the growing market opportunity, as well as broadening our portfolio.”

The coated and metallized film types to be produced in Mexico will be predominantly used as facestocks for Pressure-Sensitive Labels, with some applications also targeting barrier applications for Flexible Packaging. 

"We can offer films with different functional coatings on each side, such as proprietary print coatings and on the other side adhesive receptive coatings - both of which are critical to make high-performance label constructions," says Juan Carlos Magaña Camacho, Coating Manager at Innovia Zacapú.

Modular, versatile and sustainable - what do the new label facestocks offer?

"The new coated films are ideal for pressure sensitive labeling in various markets such as food, beverage, home and personal care, healthcare and so on. Many of the products you find on supermarket shelves or in drugstores/pharmacies - where print quality and performance matter - the coatings are designed to be compatible with all industrial printing technologies," says Aaron Henneger, Vice President and General Manager for Innovia Films Americas. 

"Basically, we now have the ability to offer a very modular principle when it comes to label facestock - we can control printability, and the use of special adhesives that are modified to support, for example, single-use glass or PET recycling. And on top of that, we offer metallized materials for barrier and printability - our customers have the ability to tailor materials to meet their label and packaging needs," concludes Henneger.