Rollprint Packaging Products Adopts TOPAS® Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) as Newest Replacement for Barex® PAN Resin
COC-Based Films Delivers Strong Chemical Resistance in Extrusion Coated and Multilayer Coextrusions for Healthcare Packaging
For Immediate Release
Addison, IL—(December 14, 2015)—Rollprint Packaging Products, Inc., Addison, IL, a leading worldwide supplier of packaging materials for the healthcare and consumer industries, is one of the first healthcare packaging firms to offer Barex® polyacrylonitrile (PAN) replacement products in the wake of the announced closure of Ineos’ lone Barex® plant in Lima, Ohio. Rollprint recognized the importance of low adsorption and permeation in demanding healthcare uses such as nicotine patches. These challenging applications now benefit from Rollprint’s adoption of TOPAS® cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) from TOPAS Advanced Polymers as an alternative to Barex® PAN.
“We’re pleased that COC is filling the void left by Barex® PAN providing the necessary chemical resistance and sealability for innovative healthcare applications already commercialized and in development,” said Dwane Hahn, vice president of sales and marketing for Rollprint Packaging Products.
Rollprint has worked closely with TOPAS in specifying COC in extrusion coated and multilayer coextrusion applications that require strong chemical resistance. For instance, Rollprint adds COC as a moisture barrier layer in its clear, barrier film technology called ClearFoil® for flexible packaging applications. ClearFoil® uses aluminum or silicone-coated polyester to provide the ultimate in oxygen and moisture barrier resistance. Rollprint has also developed packaging for transdermal patches which use COC in multilayer structures for high chemical resistance.
“Our packaging engineers have worked closely with TOPAS to design multilayer packages that can hold some of the most challenging chemicals while still being user friendly,” said Hahn.
While not a 1-for-1 replacement for PAN, COC delivers effective chemical resistance and low adsorption rates, exhibiting low reactivity with medical-grade chemical contents such as nicotine for patches. For example, COC’s resistance to methyl salicylate is similar to PAN and better than PETG. COC’s adsorption of nicotine is less than that of PETG and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). Unlike PAN, TOPAS COC can be melt processed by all common thermoplastic processing methods including mono and multi-layer film, sheet, and extrusion coating, along with injection and extrusion blow molding. Rollprint’s Barex® alternatives include films, extrusion coatings, and laminations incorporating COC, quenched PET, PP, EVOH, foil, and ClearFoil® in peelable and weld-seal options.
About Rollprint Packaging Products
With manufacturing facilities near Chicago, IL, Rollprint Packaging Products, Inc. is a worldwide supplier of packaging materials for the healthcare and consumer industries. The company offers a complete range of flexible, heat-sealable materials incorporating film, ClearFoil®, foil, Tyvek® and paper. Structures can be designed to accommodate any sterilization method. Available in rollstock, pouches and die-cut lids, Rollprint’s materials can meet the needs of most peelable, chemical resistant and barrier applications.
The company is a founder of Alliantz Flexible Packaging Pte. Ltd., a joint venture with Acme Packaging Co. (Pte) Ltd., Singapore. Headquartered in Singapore, Alliantz serves the flexible packaging supply needs of Southeast Asia and China.
Rollprint is respected throughout the packaging industry for its heat-sealable, peelable rollstock and pouch technology, as well as its ClearFoil® ultra-high barrier transparent laminates, Allegro® peelable sealants and ClearForm® forming webs. Rollprint has supplied flexible packaging materials for healthcare, industrial and food end-use applications for more than 50 years.
Rollprint Media Contact:
Dwane Hahn
Rollprint Packaging Products
(512) 639-9293
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