Packaging is vital to every product’s success. Because the packaging may be the only sign of safety and hygiene, while packaging serves an important function, its visual presentation affects the customer’s perception of the brand. The packaging material may influence the packaging decision greatly. One of the most exciting materials used today in packaging is thermoforming film, and it serves a significant role in a number of industries, including food, pharmaceutical, electronics, and consumer products.
In this article, we will examine the definitions, process, types of thermoforming films, benefits of thermoforming films, and how they are changing standards for packaging around the world.
What Is Thermoforming Films?
Thermoforming film is a kind of plastic film that is heated and formed into a shape using vacuum or pressure forming, like cups or containers. When heated, the film is soft and allows products to be formed into or around it to create packaging. Once cooled, the film retains an inference of that shape and forms solid, flexible, durable packaging. Thermoforming films are for specific uses in rigid or semi-rigid packaging formats like trays, blister packs, or pouches. Thermoforming films are very prevalent in product protection applications, shelf life preservation, and attractive displays.
Types of Thermoforming Films
There are different types of thermoforming films based on product needs and industry standards. Listed below are the most common types:
- Rigid Thermoforming Films: These are thicker plastics that make trays, blister packs, and containers. Wherever there is a need for protection, these films will do the job against physical damage. Some regulations may dictate using these films.
- Flexible Thermoforming Films: These are thinner films that mold around the product and do not add significant weight. They are used primarily in food packaging like meats, cheese, or fresh produce.
- Barrier Thermoforming Films: These are used as multi-layer films designed with high-barrier properties. They protect against oxygen, moisture, and other potential external contaminants. They work well for perishable products.
- Shrink Thermoforming Films: These are films that will shrink tightly over the product or package once heat has been applied. These produce a neat, tamper-proof package.
- Eco-Friendly Thermoforming Films: These are made from recyclable and/or biodegradable films to meet the increasing demand for eco-friendly packaging.
How Are Thermoforming Films Useful?
Thermoforming films are advantageous in contemporary packaging because of their flexible, durable, and protective characteristics. Here are five general ways in which they add value:
1. Food Protection & Safety
Thermoforming films offer a strong barrier to oxygen, moisture, and contamination, which prolongs the shelf life of perishables (a factor that is also important for food safety), such as seafood, meat, and dairy.
2. Customization & Flexibility
Thermoforming films can be designed to essentially fit any shape of the product, they can be made in clear and/or printed formats to show visibility and/or branding, and they can be die cut or folded to meet the design needs of packaging such as trays, tubs, clamshells, and blisters.
3. Strength & Protection
Thermoforming films show improved resistance to punctures, leaks, and tears that help ensure products stay preserved during normal handling or storage. The transitions of the product during transportation are also much safer.
4. Cost-Effective Packaging
Thermoforming films are strong and light and can greatly reduce material costs. Additionally, they conform adequately over many kinds of automated packaging machines that can provide additional labor and time savings as part of good packaging design.
5. Sustainable Options
Thermoforming films offer the option of being eco-friendly and/or recyclable, which will reduce environmental burden, as well as relatively lower food waste by extending freshness.
6. Universal Uses
Thermoforming films are widely utilized across food, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors, which makes them one of the most versatile of-packaging solutions available in the market.
Benefits Of Using Thermoforming Films
There are many reasons for businesses and industries to prefer thermoforming films:
- Cost Savings: Thermoforming typically uses less material than conventional rigid packaging, so it’s easy on the budget while still providing excellent quality.
- Lightweight: Less shipping costs and lightweight for ease of handling.
- Protection of Products: Strong barrier films can protect against harmful elements in the environment, like oxygen, dust, and moisture.
- Sustainability: Available in recyclable and biodegradable versions, helping companies achieve sustainability goals.
- Branding: Transparent and customizable films can entice buyers and establish trust in the products.
- Extended Shelf Life: Especially relevant for perishable food products and pharmaceuticals.
- Tamper Resistance: Adds another element of safety and prevention of product interference and contamination prior to reaching customers.
How Is Thermoforming Film Made In the Bagla Group?
In the Bagla group, thermoforming films are produced using advanced German extrusion technology and stringent quality controls to provide high-performance packaging.
- Raw Material: We utilize selected polymers (e.g., PET, PE, PP, PA, EVOH) for their strength, flexibility, and superior barrier protection in our packaging.
- 7-Layer German Extrusion: With German multi-layer extruders, Bagla Group can manufacture films that provide 7 layers of protection, providing enhanced durability, sealing performance, and greater resistance against oxygen and moisture. Therefore, our films are suitable for food and pharmaceutical packaging.
- Casting and Cooling: The film, which has been extruded, is cast and cooled on precision rollers to ensure a consistent thickness, clarity, and surface smoothness, while also allowing for excellent formability and excellent strength.
- Thermoformability: Formed and engineered, our films are capable of being shaped through thermoforming. Our films can start as a flat sheet and become a complex product shape, and still maintain their integrity and barrier protection.
- Standard Operating Procedures: Each batch has its own thickness, sealing strength, transparency, and barrier performance tested. We have met all the FDA and International food safety standards.
- Speed & Customization: Our machines have a productivity of 1200 kg per hour; however, we can offer customization of roll sizes and specifications to accommodate clients’ needs.
Why Bagla Thermoforming Is The Best?
Bagla Group is a known player in thermoforming films because of its technology, quality controls, and strict customer focus. Here is why:
- German Extrusion: Bagla films are produced using world-class German-made multi-layer extrusion lines that provide narrow tolerances and uniformity, along with better barrier properties, giving end users films that surpass the best packaging standards in the world.
- 7-Layer Protective Barrier: These barrier films are produced with up to 7 barrier layers for maximum strength, along with flexibility and protection from oxygen, moisture, and contamination for food or pharmaceutical use.
- Amazing Output and Efficiency: Bagla is capable of producing up to 1200 kg of film an hour, so even large orders can be delivered on time and with high quality.
- Quality and Safety Standards: Bagla performs quality control and checks of each batch of film produced to ensure correct sealing strength, clarity, and barrier performance. Bagla group provides FDA-approved thermoforming films and is food-grade certified.
- Customization Choices: Customers can request films with various thicknesses, widths, and properties to match their packaging requirements in seafood, meat, dairy, or industrial applications.
- Sustainability Focus: Bagla prides itself on its sustainable packaging and creates packaging solutions that are recyclable thermoforming films and sustainable thermoforming films for a greener future.
Conclusion
Thermoformed films are transforming the packaging industry by offering durability, safety, and aesthetic appeal at a reasonable price. Whether preserving food, protecting medicines, or highlighting consumer products, thermoformed films perform on many levels.
With a practically limitless application range across industries and an increasingly sustainable material focus, thermoformed films are the packaging solution of the present and future.
For corporations, using thermoformed films is not just about customer and product safety – it’s also about creating an advantage in an environment where packaging can mean the difference between success and failure.
FAQs
What is Thermoforming film used for?
Thermoforming film is used for food, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and packaging consumer goods. This film acts as a protective barrier, allows for a longer shelf life, and displays products attractively.
Are Thermoforming Films Safe For Food Packaging?
Yes! Thermoforming films are approved by the FDA and are food-grade certified, making them completely safe to use and in direct contact with perishable food items such as meat, seafood, and dairy items.
How fast can Bagla Group deliver Thermoforming films?
Bagla Group has thermoforming films making factories with up to 1200 kg production capacity. Bagla has facilities that can produce large orders and can quickly turn around orders for your urgent packaging needs!
