Innovia Films broke ground for a significant expansion at its Innovia business unit near Leipzig in Germany at the Dow ValuePark Schkopau. A new 8.8 meters wide multi-layer co-extrusion line will produce thin gauge label films to support the growing, sustainability driven demand for lower resin content materials. The new technology is unique for label films, with 36,000 tons of annual capacity designed for energy efficiency. Production will commence in the second half of 2024.
The film forms the basis to produce sustainable floatable shrink sleeves. This facilitates an easier separation of labels from PET, HDPE and PP bottles and containers in the recycling process to enable bottle-to-bottle circularity. This shrink sleeve material is mainly for use within the food, beverage, and home & personal care industries.
Rising energy prices, shifting trade patterns and margin calls are driving liquidity shortages in the commodities trading market, experts warn, as banks reportedly remain nervous around lending. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European and US-led restrictions on oil and gas imports have rattled markets. Oil and gas price rises have accelerated due to potential supply .