Firsta validates ILC-BOPP film heat resistance

Firsta Group has completed temperature-resistance testing of its independently developed high-barrier ILC-BOPP coated base film, with key performance indicators meeting the target requirements at 150 deg C.  

The validation expands the potential application of ILC-BOPP technology in high-temperature environments and provides another material option for high-performance packaging applications requiring both barrier and thermal resistance. 

ILC-BOPP uses an in-line coating process that integrates the functional coating into the BOPP film production process. Unlike the conventional off-line approach, in which the film is first produced and then coated separately, the technology enables biaxial orientation of the polypropylene substrate and application of the functional coating to be carried out within an integrated production process. 

Firsta's ILC-BOPP production line, developed in cooperation with German equipment manufacturer Brückner, officially began operations on October 18, 2025. According to Thomas, global electrical director at Brückner, the production line was custom-designed based on Firsta's requirements and the specific needs of the Chinese market. By integrating the coating process into BOPP production, the line is designed to reduce energy consumption and minimize VOC emissions during manufacturing. 

As the packaging industry places increasing emphasis on high-barrier performance, material simplification and recyclability, polypropylene-based high-barrier films are attracting growing attention. Conventional high-barrier packaging structures often rely on combinations of materials such as PET, aluminum foil and metalized films. ILC-BOPP offers an alternative approach to simplified, potentially recyclable mono-material structures. 

Firsta has already begun batch production of its high-barrier ILC-BOPP films, with potential applications including food packaging, pharmaceutical and medical packaging, electronic component protection and new energy materials. The newly validated temperature-resistant grade is intended for applications where both thermal resistance and barrier performance are required. 

Firsta will continue to advance the industrial-scale production of the temperature-resistant ILC-BOPP grade while further developing and validating high-performance functional film technologies for demanding packaging applications.