High Strength Plus Laser Protection Films make high performance more sustainable
At Euroblech, the International Sheet Metal Working Technology Exhibition, POLIFILM PROTECTION is presenting its High Strength Plus laser protection films. This new generation of protective films is significantly thinner and more resource efficient, whilst at the same time still providing excellent surface protection and optimal process characteristics – whether made from 100% virgin material or with a 20% recycled content.
The positive impact of this new film technology on environmental sustainability is evident when compared directly with the standard laser protection film PF584 CS. Whilst the PF584 CS has a thickness of 100 µm, the High Strength Plus version is only 80 µm thick, requiring 23% less virgin material and thereby reducing its carbon footprint (cradle-to-gate) by 15%.
Sustainable and Cost-Effective
Choosing High Strength Plus laser protection film also noticeably optimizes the environmental footprint of production. Companies that process one million square metres of film per year save around 19 tons of fossil-based plastics by switching to High Strength Plus. This also brings financial benefits in countries that impose a plastic tax. But that’s not all: the reduced thickness leads to lower transportation weights, which require less fuel along the logistics chain. Additionally, more meters fit on each roll, reducing the time and labour needed for production setup, roll changes, and machine adjustments.
High Performance Without Compromise
POLIFILM PROTECTION’s High Strength Plus laser protection films prove that sustainability and high performance can be simultaneously achieved thanks to the right technology. The innovative blend of three polymers used in this new generation of films ensures extreme durability and protection even with reduced film thickness, without any compromises on performance.
In fact, the High Strength Plus laser protection films not only offer the same scratch resistance as its 100 µm counterpart but even surpasses it in impact resistance by on average, around 50%. All of this comes with perfect process characteristics. Thanks to its high dimensional stability, the High Strength Plus films provide tension-free unwinding and application even with high adhesive strength, preventing edge lifting. Its absorption and adhesion properties also ensure clean, burr-free cut edges without bubble formation.
Greater sustainability with Recycled Content
For customers seeking an even more sustainable solution, POLIFILM PROTECTION offers its High Strength Plus laser protection film with a 20% recycled content. It is still only 80 µm thick, but offers around 40% greater impact resistance, identical scratch resistance, and excellent tensile strength values for smooth, tension-free application.
With the recycled content, the need for virgin material is further reduced by an additional 15%, for a total reduction of 38% compared to the already resource-saving High Strength Plus laser protection film. For an annual demand of one million square metres of film, this translates to a saving of around 32 tons of fossil-based raw materials as well as a 25% reduction in the carbon footprint compared to that of the standard film.
Decades of Experience
“We have many decades of experience in processing recycled materials and use the highest-quality regranulates from our own in-house recycling,” explains Thomas Mähner, Head of Development at POLIFILM PROTECTION. “This allows us to guarantee consistent quality and the same optimum mechanical resilience as films made from virgin material.”
Thomas Mähner adds, “Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in sheet metal processing. With our High Strength Plus laser protection films – whether made from 100% virgin material or with recycled content – we are making a clear promise to our customers at Euroblech: It has never been easier to maintain profitable operating whilst combining superior surface protection with environmental sustainability in laser cutting.”
POLIFILM PROTECTION at Euroblech 2024: Hall 26, Stand D51
