Synthetic papers and films for in-mold label (IML) applications on packaging bottles and containers

By Tom Polischuk

According to Giblin, most of the substrates for blow molding are HDPE, cast PP, or other co-polymers, which all are very heat sensitive. “For injection molding, the primary material used is oriented polypropylene (OPP), which has better heat resistance features,” he says.

Hoag says the Arjobex Polyart synthetic paper is HDPE-based and is manufactured in such a way to provide stretch/shrinkage ratios that are balanced in the machine and cross directions. “Because of the way it’s manufactured, it can better match the shrinkage of the container,” he notes.