optimont® 501-R

optimont® 501-R – BO-PET recycled film for packaging

One of the most versatile films in the Bleher product range, the BO-PET film optimont® 501, is also available as optimont® 501-R in an environmentally friendly version with a high recycled content. Like its conventional counterpart, optimont® 501-R is biaxially oriented and therefore exhibits very good mechanical properties and high temperature resistance.

The high recycled content of up to 90 percent conserves resources, as crude oil consumption is minimized and energy and water are also used to a lesser extent in the production of the recycled film.

Properties of optimont® 501-R film

As a BO-PET film, i.e. a biaxially oriented polyester film, optimont® 501-R exhibits very good mechanical strength values, is heat-resistant, and dimensionally stable. The term biaxial orientation refers to a production step in which the freshly extruded film is stretched in the machine direction and transverse to the machine direction. The technical term for this processing step is stretching, which is carried out with the application of heat.

Stretching results in high mechanical strength and improves not only dimensional stability and heat resistance but also the chemical resistance of the films. optimont® 501-R complies with the requirements of EU Regulation 10/2011 regarding food contact as well as the corresponding specifications of the U.S. authority Food and Drug Administration, FDA 21 CFR 177.1630.

The rPET viewing window film for folding cartons is equipped on one side with an adhesion-promoting surface that ensures good printability and facilitates coating.

optimont® 501-R – a transparent PCR film for packaging

The term PCR – Post Consumer Recycling – refers to the recycling of waste that has already been used by consumers. It differs significantly from post-industrial recycling, in which single-type production waste is returned directly to the production process. Naturally, recycling plastics from consumer collections is considerably more complex, as the material must first be sorted by type, cleaned, and shredded.

Despite these complex processing steps, post-consumer recycling is an important contribution to the sustainable use of plastics. Compared to the production of polymers from crude oil, properly reprocessed plastic not only saves raw materials but also improves the environmental footprint of plastics through reduced energy and water consumption. In addition, properly collected and recycled plastic cannot enter the environment and cause the well-known problems, including microplastics.

A transparent film with PCR content such as optimont® 501-R used as packaging material therefore represents a significant contribution to more sustainable product packaging.

optimont® 501-R – recycled PET film for folding cartons in the food industry

optimont® 501-R is most commonly used as an rPET film for viewing windows in the food industry. The most important requirement is that the transparency of the film is just as good as that of competing materials manufactured entirely from petrochemical raw materials. According to the data sheet, optimont® 501-R offers a light transmission of 89 percent and a haze value of two percent. These optical properties make optimont® 501-R an ideal material for viewing windows.

The mechanical robustness of the viewing window film with recycled content, its food compliance, and the heat resistance of the BO-PET film are further arguments in favor of using optimont® 501-R as an ecological window film for packaging in the food sector. The good barrier properties are also an important advantage of optimont® 501-R film for applications in the food industry.

optimont® 501-R – a sustainable viewing window film for cardboard packaging

Not only in the food industry, but also in the non-food sector, the robust optimont® 501-R film is a popular alternative as a viewing window to films that are manufactured 100 percent from petrochemical raw materials. For all producers who place value on sustainable production, environmentally friendly window films for packaging are also relevant in this sector.

For example, the packaging of loose hardware store items such as wall plugs, screws, nails, washers, or nuts can be made more environmentally friendly by using cardboard packaging with viewing windows made from optimont® 501-R film. The food-compliant optimont® 501-R film is also suitable for medicines or food additives in viewing window packaging.

Environmental and sustainability aspects of using optimont® 501-R film

optimont® 501-R film is manufactured from PET material that consists of up to 90 percent post-consumer recycled content. PET is well known for its well-established recycling loop with high recycling rates. optimont® 501-R film exhibits nearly identical product properties to optimont® 501 film, which is manufactured from petrochemical raw materials.

Production using post-recycled content makes it possible to use optimont® 501-R film for packaging products that are intended to convey a high ecological standard. When this BO-PET recycled film is used for packaging, significant savings in resource consumption as well as energy and water consumption are possible. The environmental footprint of optimont® 501-R film is significantly better than that of comparable films made from petrochemical raw materials. Packaging of organic products is therefore also possible using optimont® 501-R film.

Advantages of optimont® 501-R film

• Recycled film with a high recycled content from PCR
• Resource-efficient
• Reduced consumption of energy and water during production
• Crystal-clear film with high transparency
• Mechanical strength of a BO-PET film
• Food-compliant
• Good barrier properties

Cutting, storage stability, and dimensions of optimont® 501-R film

optimont® 501-R film is available in cut sheet formats and as roll material. Narrow rolls and short rolls are available as well as jumbo rolls or master rolls. The clear film with PCR content is available from Bleher Folientechnik in thicknesses ranging from 36 to 175 µm.

Storage of optimont® 501-R films should take place in closed storage rooms or warehouses. optimont® 501-R film must not be exposed to direct sunlight or strong light sources. Moisture and heat should be avoided. The films are best stored dry in the original packaging at temperatures below 40° Celsius.