UK plastics converter Danisco Flexible (GB-Bristol; www.daniscoflexible.com) has invested GBP 1.6m in the installation of a new Windmöller & Hölscher “Varex” Optifil P2 co-extrusion line at its Danisco Flexible Extrusion blown film facility at Ilkeston in Derbyshire. The company, which claims to be Europe´s “leading manufacturer of quality PE packaging films,” said the new line was needed to satisfy rapid internal growth. The facility supplies a large number of Danisco´s businesses.

The new 2.6 metre wide, 3-layer, fully automatic line will allow Danisco to expand its activities into “wider and more complex films.” It can run a wide range of polymers, including LLDPE and metallocenes for production of high-grade lamination and co-ex films for conversion. The company says the high output means “efficient production” of PE films for frozen food, confectionery, peelable films and detergent applications. The new machine brings the site´s blown film lines to 10. It raises output potential by more than 2,500 t/y and co-ex capacity from 26% to 43% of output.

Meanwhile, Danisco Flexible S&R (GB-Livingston) has won a Mobil OPPACK award for its “Tesco Fruit and Nut Muesli” pack, a triple laminate of PE, metallised OPP and transparent OPP produced in cooperation with two other Danisco Flexible companies. The Mobil film specification in conjunction with high barrier adhesive technology gives the pack its “strong characteristics” and the ability for A/B lap seals, Danisco said. It also allowed the move from a specification containing PVdC to a 100% polyolefin specification, giving a “perceived environmental plus.”