Extrusion International 3-2025

43 Extrusion International 3/2025 Rotogravure printing systems. Metallisation is possible without any complications even with ultra-thin MDO-PE films”, Elias Mayrhofer states. Wide variety of different film properties The cast MDO technology allows the production of a wide variety of different types of MDO-PE film: Ultra-thin film down to 15 µm SML cast film lines are ready to manufacture MDO-PE film as thin as 15 μm. “It goes without saying, that even at the most ultra-thin film the process is completely sta - ble. There are no compromises when it comes to perfor - mance, functionality and printability,” Elias Mayrhofer says. A market-ready 15 µm MDO-PE film developed at SML in close cooperation with its polymer supplier and long-term partner Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics has the following structure (Picture 2): 17 µm film with an EVOH barrier layer of less than 1 µm This ultra-thin barrier film was developed by SML in collaboration with Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics and EVAL Europe N.V. (a Kuraray company). It comes with this layer distribution (Picture 3): The film has been extensively tested and is ready for the market. It is characterised by the following barrier properties, given a stretching ratio of 1:5:  OTR: 1 – 3 cm³/m²/24hr * * Oxygen transmission rate at 23 °C; 50 % RH, testing method: ASTM F1927-07  WVTR: 5 – 8 g²/m²/24hr * * Water vapour transmission rate at 38 °C; 90 % RH, testing method: ASTM F1249-06  Up to 65 µmMDO-PE film for extended application areas  The production of ultra-thin MDO-PE films of the highest quality is by no means the only possible appli- cation at the latest generation of SML cast film lines. The achievable thickness range for fully stretched MDO-PE films goes up to 65 µm which opens up a variety of other possibilities for film manufacturers. Especially with regard to packaging goods that re- quire higher barrier functions or enhanced mechani- cal properties. Integrated sealing layer: Ready-to-use film straight from the line A further functional advantage of manufacturing MDO-PE film in the cast process is the option to directly integrate a sealing layer. This makes it possible to pro - duce a completely ready-to-use film straight off the line, for example for products such as stand-up pouches.    Cast technology for unparalleled film quality  Generally, MDO-PE films produced in a cast process attain an excellent level of transparency. A superior film quality is reached through optimum flatness and the ideal distribution of thickness during production. SML Maschinengesellschaft mbH Gewerbepark Ost 32, A-4846 Redlham, Austria www.sml.at 5 layer structure MDO-PE 7 layer structure MDO-PE barrier