Sealing Jaws for Sustainable Packaging Materials

The Growth of Mono-layer Films for Sustainable Packaging

Companies are electing to use more sustainable packaging materials to keep up with sustainability trends in the packaging industry.

Mono polyethylene and mono polypropylene are the most common polymer-based, recyclable, flexible materials used in the packaging industry.

Mono-layer film market will accelerate at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% to reach $70.9 billion in 2025 according to Smithers Research

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Getting the Right Cut

The mechanical properties of these thicker structures make cutting more difficult.

Knives designed for specific packaging material will improve sealing performance. They will also improve product open ability.

With all flexible packaging materials, machine speeds are limited to fit normal sealing jaw temperature cycles within a sealing range. Because of their thickness, mono PE and mono PP require higher sealant jaw temperatures to reach the sealant layer. Selecting and designing the correct jaw set is paramount to efficiently seal mono PE and mono PP.  This is crucial to achieve the highest possible machine speeds. This is particularly important in gas flush packaging systems which inject inert gases into product packaging. By choosing and designing the correct jaws, gas leakage is less likely to occur.

Maintaining and Servicing your Sealing Jaws

Coating thermocouples and heaters- before inserting them into jaws, coat thermocouples and heaters with heat sync compound. This will fill air gaps and improve heat transfer and sensing accuracy.

Remove backlash. Independent movement of the upper and lower sealing jaws can lead to jaw misalignment. This can cause package damage such as tears and reduced sealing quality. Over time worn gears and stretched chains contribute to backlash. Timely inspection and servicing can prevent and fix this issue.

Adjusting jaw clearance. Jaw clearance is the narrow gap between upper and lower jaw serrations. Maintaining the correct clearance distance is important to maximize jaw longevity and helps avoid tears in packaging.

Spring and compression washers. These often go unrecognized as the source of packaging issues. They are responsible for maintaining correct jaw pressure. Over time, they deteriorate resulting in poorer sealing quality. Evaluating their condition can be difficult so regular replacement of these components is very beneficial.

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We Can Help with your Packaging Requirements

At Record Packaging we have a team of dedicated engineers across the U.K and Ireland ready to help you install, replace, or maintain sealing jaws for your flow wrapping machines. Contact us today to avail of a free consultation and find out the best way to package your product.

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