Covinil benefits from Bobst AlOx technology

The company already has a range of metalized film products in the market, and the decision to purchase a new metalizer was made due to a shortage of capacity and to have the latest process innovations available to open up new markets. For this, Covinil chose Bobst due to its reputation for leading innovations in the field of vacuum metalization and its process know-how.

The new 2450mm K5000 vacuum metalizer Covinil has purchased incorporates all Bobst process innovations available, including: DarkNight, for high barrier metalized films; AluBond, for high metal adhesion; and AlOx, for high barrier transparent films. The package also includes the Hawkeye pinhole detection system as it is an integral part of both the DarkNight and AlOx processes.

Covinil has reported a positive experience with Hawkeye’s ability to detect pinholes and other defects for improved barrier properties as well as its accuracy in measuring optical density to improve uniformity.

In conjunction with the K5000 from Bobst Manchester, Covinil has purchased an AlOx optimized coating platform from Bobst Italia. As part of this package, Covinil will have access to two innovative topcoat formulations that are applied on a new Bobst Italia coating line to provide protection and enhanced barrier functionality to the AlOx coated PET films. Once the off-line topcoat has been applied, films can then be converted further without any significant barrier deterioration using standard equipment (printing, lamination, etc).

Founded in 1975, Covinil started off producing PVC film for candy wrapping, then added CPP film and eventually purchased a PET film line; films are marketed under the Cecronil brand. Covinil can extrude, metalize, print and slit films for food and non-food applications. The company is BRC certified. An in-house laboratory equipped with measuring and testing equipment enables determination of both physical and chemical film characteristics and incudes the latest barrier measuring equipment.