Packs and Closures

Actega Coatings & Sealants has pre-empted amendments to the European Plastics Directive with the launch of a PVC-free closure seal for lug-type twist caps at Interpack.

The new legislation, which will be introduced on 1 July 2008, prohibits the use of certain phthalates as plasticisers in PVC-based closure seals that come into contact with food.

Actega's cap closure, the Provalin 1241, contains very low levels of additives so that less than 1% of the total liner material can migrate to the product.

The Wesel, Germany-headquartered company has worked with the Swiss Technology Testing service to confirm the migration levels of Provalin 1241.

Additive materials can account for up to 40% of traditional closure materials.

Actega has also introduced a new heavy-metal free laser marking system, which can be used to mark previously un-markable materials such as clear plastic.

A food-contact approved additive called Actelar can be added to any polymer, which, when laser marked, provides clear, high contrast markings.

The concept was originally used for in-cap promotions and has been adapted for brand protection or anti-counterfeiting measures.