What is vacuum metallized film - Bruce Dou

vacuum metallized film by china producer

Vacuum metallized film

Vacuum metallized film is usually designated to mean the polymer films with the surface deposited a thin layer of metal, usually aluminum in flexible packaging applications, through vacuum depositing craftsmanship, and now metallized films are widely used in many fields such as flexible packaging, decoration, cardboard packaging, textiles, thermal insulation areas and electronic industry. 

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The main division for aluminum vacuum metallized films is as below

• VMPET film (PET film substrate)
• VMCPP film (CPP film substrate)
• VMPA film (PA film substrate)
• VMBOPP film (BOPP film substrate)
• VMPE film (PE film substrate)
• Metallized Paper (Paper substrate)

Change after vacuum metallized

Let’s have a look on the change of appearance before and after vacuum metallized.

Change-of-poly-film-after-vacuum-metallized

After metallization, the polymer film will be enabled with superior property as below

• Bright metallic appearance (for decoration)
• High barrier performance against oxygen and water vapor (for barrier packaging)
• Sunlight shielding (for packaging and thermal insulation)
• Electrical conductivity (For electronic and packaging purpose)

Cost-effective Film

Previously we talk about the thin aluminum layer  deposited onto the polymer surface, can you imaging how thin the aluminum layer is? Let’s have a graphic comparison

Thickness-comparison-for-aluminum-layer-on-metallized-film-and-aluminum-foil

With this so thin aluminum layer on the polymer film surface, it can achieve the barrier performance that most products will be ok, and as aluminum foil is of higher price, so you can figure out why metallized film are so popular in its applications. (As china is abundant in aluminum minerals, the price for china aluminum foil is much favored, and many companies are buying aluminum foil from china, I will explain in future posts.)

Vacuum Metallization Depositing Craftsmanship

You may have a detailed look into this vacuum metallization depositing schematic if you interest.

Vacuum Metallizaton Schematic

and the machine intended to realize the vacuum metallization process is usually called vacuum metallizing machine. At present, with the strong development of china manufacturers, the vacuum metallizing machine produced by china is able to reach 3.3 meter web width, and run at 750m/minutes, that is quite helpful to lower metalization costs per square meter, and that’s why vacuum metallized film produced by china is sold to many countries of the world.

vacuum-metallizing-machine

VACUUM COATED AND METALLIZED PRODUCTS: A new market evaluation from AWA Alexander Watson Associates

 

 

The lower basis weight, ease of recycling, and high yields of recovered base material have made vacuum coated papers and films valued alternatives to the functional barrier properties offered by alternative materials such as aluminum foil, coated films, and extrusion-coated papers.  The newly-published AWA Vacuum Coated & Metallized Products Market Review 2017 provides an accurate in-depth global guide to this healthy and growing industry, for all involved or interested in the value chain at every level.

 

Healthy global growth

Featuring up-to-the-minute data on global and regional volumes; market structure; raw material trends; market characteristics by substrate; and projected future growth, the report forecasts growth in global production in the short- to medium-term at between 4 and 5%.  Regional differences are, however, noted and documented.  

The developing economies

The Asian region is today the key driver, as its countries – particularly China – continue to develop packaging sophistication to meet increased consumer buying power.  There is now significant demand for flexible packaging, which is complementing continuing interest in labeled premium products.  Growth in metallized papers and boards – essentially focused on transfer metallizing – also remains relatively strong, driven by cigarette packaging and by exports of materials such as holographic giftwrap and label papers. China and India are major producers and exporters of vacuum metallized materials, both for domestic regional use and for low-cost exports to North America and Europe.

In South America, the economic instability of recent years has led to major GDP growth declines, but GDP is now forecast to recover at a rate of 1.6% in 2017 to 2.6% in 2019, with healthy 2016 growth in vacuum-coated products fed by continuing investment in vacuum coating technologies and end-use markets.  

Africa and the Middle East offer considerable potential for further development -- currently frustrated by local economic and political considerations, except in the major, more developed label markets of Israel and South Africa.

 

North America and Europe

The markets in North America and Europe are certainly maturing.  In 2016, they grew respectively by 3% and 2%.  In both markets, metallized paper is experiencing serious competition from alternative materials and packaging styles.  Metallized film growth is, however, healthy, with developments in higher-value-added coatings and coating combinations.   Turkey is now a strong producer of metallized films – especially OPP -- and a key supplier to the wider European market and for exports to USA.

In North America, there is a particular trend towards the use of vacuum coated films in technical applications such as aerospace, window films, and security, as well as in flexible packaging.  Metallized papers remain focused on labels, and both North America and Europe are experiencing a slowdown in the production of metallized paper for giftwrapping.

 

A growing technology choice

Overall, the AWA Vacuum Coated & Metallized Products Market Review 2017 documents the fact that vacuum coating and metallizing remains a growing technology choice around the world, with plenty of future opportunities for new applications.  Full details are available via the AWA Alexander Watson Associates website, [hyperlink], where the report may also be ordered online.

 

 

Source: Converting Today

8 January 2018