Extrusion Coatings

Polyolefin coatings provide flexible packaging industry with high stifness, clarity and tensile strength

Borealis is a leading supplier to the European extrusion coating industry. We offer a wide range of base low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylenes for extrusion coating applications. Special compounds are also available, like filled grades and grades containing TiO2 and talcum.

The extrusion coating process was introduced to combine plastics substrates with other materials such as paper, cardboard or aluminium foil. The process is beneficial for packaging applications because it:

  • improves protection against light,
  • safeguards against grease and humidity,
  • nurtures stability, stiffness, and sealability of the packaging.

High pressure autoclave technology delivering high quality polymers

Borealis LDPE is manufactured using high pressure autoclave technology to deliver the highest quality consistency. About 90% of all polymers used in extrusion coating today is autoclave LDPE because it is easy to process, provides sufficient moisture barrier, and has excellent heat sealing properties.

For applications which require specific properties, such as better barrier protection or resistance against heat or grease, Borealis offers a range of HDPE products.

Physical properties answering the most demanding requirements

Borealis polypropylene grades offer an array of physical properties including:

  • high stiffness
  • barrier to moisture vapor transmission and grease permeability
  • clarity and surface gloss
  • heat resistance
  • tensile strength

We provide different solutions to achieve the optimum combination of these benefits in extrusion coated structures and all our coating products are developed to meet the unique requirements for food contact applications in different countries. 

Applications

Extrusion coating has many applications including:

  • Liquid packaging for milk, juice, wine or other liquids
  • Flexible packaging for meat, cheese, pet food or medical products
    Rigid packaging for frozen food and detergent cartons, cup and plate boards for oven or microwave use
  • Industrial applications
  • Photographic paper
  • Sterilisable food packaging
Application Examples
   Applications Main function of coating layers 
Liquid packaging
  • Short shelf life dairy products, e.g. pasteurized milk 
  • Long shelf life dairy products juices and wine 
  • Other non-dairy long shelf life products
  • Heat sealability
  • Liquid, moisture & oxygen barrier
  • Glossy surface look 
  • Lamination layer
Flexible packaging
  • MAP/CAP packaging for meat and cheese
  • Sachets and pouches for soups and sugar
  • Pet food bags
  • Medical packaging
  • Wrappers, e.g. for fresh food, crackers and snacks
  • Heat sealability
  • Liquid and moisture barrier
  • Grease resistance
  • Lamination layer
Rigid packaging
  • Folding cartons such as frozen food, detergent and pet food packages
  • Sleeves & trays
  • Cup and plate boards for conventional and microwave oven use
  • Bakery products
  • Grease, moisture & temperature resistance
  • Surface protection
  • Heat sealability