In the form of YUNICO TPE dispersions (thermoplastic Elastomer dispersions), Actega DS presented a new, patented generation of dispersions at the K-Fair in October in Düsseldorf, thanks to high-tech TPE materials, offer a wide range of coating solutions for packaging materials and substrates. The new, innovative technology makes it possible to combine various specific features in a single dispersion. Accordingly, maximum customer benefits are offered through individualized application solutions.
Exclusively water-based, these dispersions are free of emulsifiers and solvents (VOCs, i.e. volatile organic compounds such as hydrocarbons, alcohol, aldehydes, or organic acids). This is a key aspect for the protection of employees and consumers as nothing can be released into the air or migrated into contents such as food or beverages. Furthermore, these dispersions meet all of the requirements associated with direct contact with food and have the corresponding FDA/EU approvals.
YUNICO TPE dispersions are distinguished by the fact that their properties can be adapted variably thanks to compounding of TPE components. This permits a high degree of flexibility. They can be hot-sealed in high and low temperature ranges which means their mechanical properties, e.g. for bags, paper packaging or carry bags, are decisively improved. The dispersions can offer barrier properties e.g. against water, steam, oil, grease etc. which makes them suitable for food packaging, e.g. dry food (flour, sugar), as well as for frozen packaging, packaging for pet food, cookies and meat, or even pizza boxes, to name but a few examples. The barrier protects the contents from external influences over the entire BFD and helps to retain quality. This barrier function is important in terms of food safety but also as protection from migration by undesirable substances such as mineral oil or other contaminants into the filled material, i.e. food. The most important requirement on these barriers is that the so-called breakthrough time, i.e. the duration until a barrier is no longer tight and substances which are harmful to health can migrate into food, is longer than the shelf life of the packaged product.
Haptic effects are key functions when it comes to packaging. The touch and feel of a product packaging are more important than ever before – in a world of visual overstimulation which is becoming increasingly virtual, real and authentic experiences are what count. They not only attract a higher degree of attention – they also linger longer in memories. A 2018 study by Hubert Burda Media first documented the impacts of types of advertising with haptic effects. It came to the conclusion that special surfaces within adverts increase reader attention, thereby ensuring that the advert achieves a higher emotional feeling of depth. The effect: the product advertised has better chances of staying in long-term memories and is therefore classified as being more relevant. It is not just the actual surface but also the feel of the material which has an effect.
With the new TPE dispersions the sky is the limit – smooth, soft, silky, rough etc. – anything is possible and this is an important factor as purchase decisions are often made on the basis of touch and feel.
Finally, YUNICO TPE dispersions feature one other major advantage: they are recyclable. This has been confirmed in the PTS test which was conducted in accordance with PTS-RH: 021/97 “Indication of recyclability of packaging made of paper, cardboard and paperboard as well as graphic print products”, the following criteria are applied: defibration, separation of existing impurities by means of sorting, potential for sticky formation (easy sheet formation), properties of the recycled fiber in terms of optical inhomogeneities.
