ExxonMobil, one of the largest publicly traded international energy companies, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world's growing energy needs. The company recently launched its new ExxonMobil Signature Polymers portfolio brand, which focuses on delivering best-in-class service and partnerships within the polymers industry. ExxonMobil Signature Polymers unifies ExxonMobil's polyolefin products under a single brand, simplifying portfolio navigation and promoting enhanced collaboration across the value chain. 

To address long-standing challenges in metalized flexible packaging, ExxonMobil Signature Polymers partnered with Chengdu Boshikerui New Materials Co., Ltd (BSKR), Chengdu Fulinda New Materials Co., Ltd (FLD), and Qinglan New Materials Co., Ltd. Traditional vacuum metalized films rely on three-ply structures using PET, which can be incompatible with polyethylene, leading to poor adhesion, weak barrier performance, and high friction during processing.  

To overcome these limitations, ExxonMobil applied its advanced polyethylene solutions to enable a more efficient two-ply film. In the coextruded PE sealant layer:

• Exceed™ Tough+ m 0814 and Exceed™ Flow+ m 0516 high performance PE delivered mechanical strength and toughness, ensuring package integrity and high needle puncture resistance.
• Exxtra™ Seal m 2012 enhanced performance polymers provided low-temperature sealability, critical for sealing performance.
• Exceed™ Stiff+ m 0926 added structural stiffness, allowing downgauging without compromising processing efficiency or mechanical performance.

The result is a vacuum metalized polyethylene (VMPE) film laminated with BOPP, forming a BOPP//VMPE lamination structure. The solution can be applied to a wide range of food packaging requiring superior barrier properties. With the removal of PET content in the lamination, this new film has a 100% polyolefins (PO) structure.  

“The VMPE substrate film, co-developed with ExxonMobil Signature Polymers, is an innovative and simplified flexible packaging structure with its revolutionary barrier upgrade in OTR and WVTR while maintaining mechanical strength, said Zheng Yong, General Manager of BSKR. “Committed to pioneering film technology innovation, we believe this advancement will accelerate market demand for high-performance barrier structures, positioning it as a core driver of future industry growth.”

“VMPE structure’s advanced lamination process pioneers next-generation high-barrier solutions, directly tackling critical packaging challenges. Through collaboration with ExxonMobil Signature Polymers and BSKR, we are scaling this innovative technology into commercially viable innovations, unlocking market potential far beyond conventional packaging limits,” added Zhang Zhimiao, General Manager of Qinglan.

To check out the full case study, visit here.