Thermoforming and packaging specialist Multivac (Wolfertschwenden / Germany; www.multivac.com) and the Krehalon speciality plastics division of Japan’s Kureha (Tokyo; www.kureha.co.jp) have entered into an agreement whereby the German group will become the global exclusive authorised distributor of the latter’s “FormShrink” thermoformable films. The deal will apply to markets across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Africa and Asia, although the companies did not specify the exact countries.

The companies said FormShrink constitutes a cost-effective and automated alternative to shrink bag packaging, adding that the Krehalon brand consists of shrinkable thermoformable films. The range not only offers pack cost reduction but also is said to enable superior “skin tight” presentation. FormShrink is used to package sausage, cheese, meats and chicken, among others.

Multivac and Krehalon have been working together since 2004, and have since “sustainably developed machinery and packaging films sales gathering a leading market position in shrinkable thermoformed packaging solutions,” the companies said.

Krehalon produces a range of speciality plastics and invests heavily in R&D. The company operates a range of different manufacturing sites for multi-layer film extrusion in Europe as well – including in Belgium, the Netherlands, France and the UK. Its portfolio also comprises speciality films made of PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride).