Since the turn of the century, a number of events have materially transformed the competitive landscape for packaging converters.

A conventional product in an unconventional packaging format; laundry detergent in an earth friendly pouch offered to consumers; an extrusion coating line that allows for rapid delivery; and a family of water-based dry-bond hybrid laminating adhesives dries and ships in two days.

We all know that time is of the essence when it comes to designing and building a new machine. Hudson-Sharp, manufacturer of plastic bag, pouch and reclosable bag machine technologies, recently validated that statement during the design of a special machine to add a closure mechanism to pre-made pouches.

Film inspection can encompass a wide variety of material properties and defect types. Density, thickness, marks, and abrasions are just a few of the defect modes that one may need to detect.

Today’s converters rely heavily on heat-transfer rolls to heat-up or cool-down many types of material, including web substrates, extruded plastics and laminates. Sometimes called chill rolls, heat transfer rolls are made by several roller companies and OEMs.

Over the last fifteen years four companies have remained at the forefront of BOPET film production in the US and, in fact, globally – DuPont-Teijin, Toray, Mitsubishi and SKC.

To understand what is and will be driving change in packaging over the next half decade, it is imperative to realize where-and-how packaging is consumed and how this consumption is changing.

Nirav Desai, director of operations at Haremar Plastic Manufacturing Ltd, explains how film suppliers can enhance pouch production and design. Desai has been with Haremar for 10 years.

Q: Since we all know the standup pouch is king, do you see another pouch style that might end up being the next big thing? Fuller: All signs point to a variation on a theme.

James Chao, Polymer Rheologist at Brampton Engineering, tells FP how the company looks at blown film extrusion.