Foil Glossary
Additive
Additives (from Latin "additives") are substances added to products in small quantities to achieve or enhance specific properties.
Anti-Fog
In the "anti-fog" coating process, an antistatic agent is applied to the surface of the foil to prevent it from fogging.
Antistatic Foil
The foil does not or only minimally accumulates an electric (static) charge.
Barrel
English unit of measurement, particularly significant in oil production. One barrel of crude oil equals 159 liters. On the global market, crude oil prices are quoted per barrel.
Biaxial
Foils can be stretched either monoaxially (in one direction, lengthwise) or biaxially (in two directions, lengthwise and crosswise). In the production of PP foils, biaxially stretched films represent nearly 90 percent of all polypropylene films produced. These are commonly referred to internationally as BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene).
Biodegradable Foil
These foils are designed to break down under environmental influences. Initially, they disintegrate mechanically through exposure to light, air, and water, and then they are biologically degraded into smaller molecules. All polyolefin foils are biodegradable.
Blown Film Die
Used in blown film extrusion. After the extruder, the plastic melt is pushed through a ring-shaped die, known as the blown film die. The resulting tube of molten plastic is inflated with air and cooled by external and, if necessary, internal cooling air. At this stage, the width and thickness of the film are determined. The cooled film tube is then flattened and wound onto a roll.
BOPP
Biaxially oriented polypropylene. See Biaxial for more details.
Carbon
A chemical element with an atomic mass of 12.0107 u, belonging to the 4th main group. Carbon forms complex compounds and is the molecular foundation of all life on Earth.
Cast Foil
Foil produced by casting a solution onto a substrate. There are various casting methods, including the drum casting process, dry casting process, and belt casting process.
Cliché
In printing, the term cliché (also spelled clichè) refers to a relief printing plate. It is made from plastic or, in modern flexographic printing, primarily from photopolymer.
Climate Protection Packaging
The most innovative form of climate protection packaging today is VCI foil or VCI paper (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor). These materials contain gaseous components that provide corrosion protection for steel, ferrous metals, and other compounds. No additional desiccants are required, as the gaseous components form a protective layer over the metals.
Coex Foil
Coextruded foil is produced by melting several different plastic materials in individual extruders and then extruding them into a shared blown film die. The layers are bonded together in the die, resulting in various foil properties.
Composite
A material made from two or more different substances, combined to create a product with enhanced properties that neither material could achieve alone. These materials are often used to improve strength, durability, or resistance to environmental factors.
Composite Foils
Foils made from layers of different materials. See also multi-layer foils.
Compostability Label
Plastics that are labeled as compostable must demonstrate their compostability in standardized testing procedures (DIN V 54900 or EN 13432). Only products that pass these tests are allowed to carry the compostability label, which is issued by DIN Certco.
Compostable Foil
A foil made from renewable resources. In compost, the foil breaks down into its original components, carbon and hydrogen.
Converting
In the next production step, the film tube produced in a blown film extrusion process is converted into bags, pouches, etc., using a converting machine.
Converting Machine
Used for the converting (further processing) of tubular films into bags and pouches.
Corrosion
From the Latin corrodere, meaning "to gnaw away." Corrosion refers to the gradual decomposition of a material due to environmental influences.
Corrosion Protection
To prevent corrosion, the metal industry uses corrosion protection foil.
Crude Oil
Crude oil is a naturally occurring mixture stored in the Earth's crust, consisting of over 17,000 components, primarily hydrocarbons. It is currently used almost exclusively as a fossil fuel. Crude oil is also the most important raw material for the petrochemical industry, which produces plastic granulate, among other products.
Crude Oil Market
Various grades of crude oil are traded on international markets. The key trading hubs are New York and London.
Density
Density refers to the mass of a substance per unit of volume, measured in g/cm³.
Double Flat Foil
After extrusion, the produced film tube is cut open on both the left and right sides and then wound in a double layer onto a winding station. Flat foil, in contrast, is wound onto two separate winders.
Double Foils
Foils made from two layers of the same base material. Double foils are used to achieve greater thickness, compensate for irregularities in the film layers, and homogenize the physical properties.
Edible Foil
This foil is edible and dissolvable in cold water (up to 60°C). It was developed to provide easy dosing options for food additives.
Elasticity
Tear-resistant machine stretch foil and hand stretch foil are distinguished by their exceptional elasticity and puncture resistance.
Ethylene
Ethylene is a colorless, mildly sweet-smelling, explosive, and flammable gas. It is the base material used in the production of polyethylene.
EVA
Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. These products are obtained through the copolymerization of ethylene and vinyl acetate. The vinyl acetate content can vary significantly, ranging from a few percent to well over 50%. As the vinyl acetate content increases, the elastic properties improve. In PE-LD stretch foils, EVA enhances stretchability and elasticity. In medical packaging foils, adding EVA to polyethylene improves mechanical properties.
Extruder
The extruder (also known as a screw press) is one of the most important machines for processing thermoplastic materials. Plastic granulate is continuously melted and transported to the exit of the extruder by one or more screws (which resemble a cylinder). The melt is then passed through a die, which shapes the thermoplastic into semi-finished products or finished plastic parts, including foils.
Filling Height
Filling height refers to the level of the product inside the packaging, such as in a resealable zipper bag.
Filling Weight
The quantity of contents measured by weight.
Film Tube
In blown film extrusion, the emerging strand of material is referred to as a film tube.
Flat Foil
See double flat foil. A flat foil from blown film extrusion is produced by slitting the tube film on both sides and winding the two separate film webs individually.
Flexographic Printing
Flexographic printing (also known as pad printing) is a roll-to-roll rotary printing process that uses flexible printing plates, called clichés, and low-viscosity inks. Flexographic printing is primarily used for printing on packaging materials such as plastic, paper, cardboard, and flexible packaging, as well as labels.
Foil
A flexible, sheet-like packaging material made from plastic or metal, with thickness depending on the material.
Foil made from Renewable Resources
This type of foil is produced using raw materials from renewable sources, such as sugarcane or corn, rather than granulates derived from fossil fuels.
Foil Sealing Machine
Foil sealing machines are used to produce items such as sacks, bags, and shrink covers from film tubes or to seal products in foil.
Garment Covers
Primarily used in the clothing industry to protect garments. Available with or without hanger openings and with or without shoulder openings.
Gas Permeability
The ability of a packaging material to allow gases to pass through, based on the solubility of the gases in the material or its porosity.
GKV
The abbreviation for the German Association of Plastics Converters (Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende Industrie e.V.). The GKV is the leading organization for the German plastics processing industry. As an umbrella association, it consolidates and represents the collective interests of its member associations and serves as the voice of the industry in dealings with politics and the public.
Granulate
Small plastic pellets produced by cutting an extruded plastic strand. These pellets are typically uniform in size and shape. Granulate is almost always the raw material used in the production of foils.
Grid Foil
Grid foil is a particularly tear-resistant, UV-stable specialty foil used in greenhouse construction.
Gusseted Tube
When winding the film tube, gussets are formed in the tube by inserting folds along the sides.
HDPE
High-density polyethylene. It has a density of approximately 0.96 g/cm³.
Hydrocarbon
A compound made up of carbon and hydrogen.
Inliner
Foil sheets or bags inserted into other packaging (such as paper bags, big bags, drums, etc.) to provide additional protection for the contents.
ISO 9001
ISO 9001 is a globally recognized standard for the certification of quality management systems. It was developed by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) to establish a consistent framework for evaluating quality management systems worldwide.
LDPE
Low-density polyethylene. The process is carried out under very high pressure (140 to 3500 bar) and high temperatures (200 to 300 °C) in tubular reactors or autoclaves. The density is approximately 0.925 g/cm³.
Machine Stretch Foil
Stretchable foil that is automatically wrapped around a package by machine.
Masterbatch
Concentrates of additives, such as pigments or functional agents, that are added to thermoplastics to achieve specific properties like color or treatments (e.g., antistatic properties). Masterbatches are available in granulate or powder form and are mixed with (colorless) thermoplastic granulate. This allows for more precise, dust-free dosing compared to directly adding the additives.
Melt
In blow film production, "melt" refers to the liquefied plastic extruded through the blow head from the extruder.
Memory Effect
The property of thermoplastics to return to their original shape when heated.
Molecules
The smallest particles that retain the properties of the substance they are composed of.
Monoaxial
The stretching of a foil in one direction. In contrast to biaxial.
Monofoils
Foils made from a single, uniform material.
Multilayer Foil
Unlike coextruded foil, multilayer foils are bonded together and can combine different materials (e.g., ALU/PE). This process is used to take advantage of the varying barrier properties of each material.
my
1/1000 mm
Nanotechnology
The word "nano" comes from the Greek "nannos," meaning dwarf. One nanometer equals 10⁻⁹ meters, or one-billionth of a meter. Today, initial applications of nanotechnology have made their way from laboratories into everyday life.
Odor Nuisance
An odor nuisance refers to a disturbance of human well-being over a certain period, either regularly or irregularly, due to emitted smells. The odors that occur during the processing of polyethylene (which resemble the scent of a paraffin candle) are non-toxic.
Olefin
An outdated term for alkenes. These are hydrocarbons with one or more C=C double bonds.
Opaque
The foil is non-transparent and does not allow light to pass through.
Oriented Foil
Plastic foil that has been stretched during production in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. When exposed to higher temperatures, the stretching can be reversed, a property utilized in shrink covers.
Pad Printing
Refer to Flexographic Printing for details.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene (abbreviated as PE, also known as polyethene or, less commonly, polyethen) is a thermoplastic polymer produced by the polymerization of ethene [C2H4]. It belongs to the polyolefin family.
Polymerization
A chemical reaction in which polymers are formed through the breaking of C=C double bonds.
PP
Polypropylene. A thermoplastic polymer produced by the polymerization of propylene.
PVOH
Polyvinyl alcohol (abbreviated as PVOH, PVA, or PVAL) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer. Polyvinyl alcohols are polymers of vinyl alcohol, which does not exist as a free monomer. Therefore, polyvinyl alcohols are produced indirectly through the saponification of polyvinyl acetate (PVAC). The degree of saponification can be adjusted to control solubility in hot or cold water.
Quality Management
We have implemented our quality management system according to DIN EN ISO 9001 since 2002. Our quality objective is to achieve high customer satisfaction. The continuous improvement process (CIP) regarding our products and services is therefore at the forefront of our operations.
As a result, we prioritize the quality of our products and services, using DIN EN ISO 9001 as our benchmark.
Recycled Foil
A foil made from plastics that have been processed and reused from previous films. See also: scrap film.
Recycling
The recovery of products through material, chemical, or thermal recycling processes.
Recycling Symbol
The symbol featuring three arrows in a triangle is not protected and can be applied anywhere. However, it is typically printed or embossed only on packaging made from paper and plastic that can theoretically be recycled.
Refinery
A refinery processes crude oil to produce refined products. The crude oil is separated into various components, which are then further processed into petrochemical resources and fuels.
Round Bottom Bag
A sack with a round bottom, commonly used for filling containers or barrels in the paint and coatings industry.
Scrap Foil
Foil that is processed into regranulate, which can be used to produce new foil again.
Semi-Tubular Foil
Tubular foil that is slit open along one side. When unfolded, semi-tubular foil becomes flat foil.
Separation Layer Foil
When shrinking polyethylene (PE) items with a shrink wrap, the heat generated may cause the PE items to become partially plasticized and bond with the shrink film. This bonding can lead to damage to the bags when the transport packaging is removed. To prevent this, a separation layer film is used with a material on the side in contact with the PE goods that has a higher melting point (usually polypropylene, PP). This makes it a coextruded (CoEx) film designed to maintain separation during the shrinking process.
Shrink Behavior
The shrink behavior of film can be predetermined by adjusting the blow-up ratio during production.
Shrink Cover
A shrink cover is a film hood placed over a loaded pallet. Heat is then applied to shrink the film, securing the goods on the pallet by tightly wrapping them.
Shrink Foil
A thermoplastic film that is pre-treated through stretching and shrinks when exposed to heat.
Slidelock Bags
Slidelock bags are notable for their simple and convenient sliding closure, making them ideal for mailing or presenting documents, informational materials, or products that deserve special attention. The easy and secure sliding lock allows for quick opening and closing, streamlining the packaging process.
Sterilization
Beim Aufwickeln des Folienschlauches wird mittels Schwerter eine Seitenfalte in die Schlauchfolie eingelegt.
Sterilisation
Steam Sterilization – Procedures and Quality Assurance
Principle: The principle of steam sterilization relies on the thermal sensitivity of microorganisms, a method that has been in use for nearly a century.
Objective: Sterilization aims to prevent the transmission of biological agents.
Stippen (Specks/Impurities)
Stippen are small, uneven areas on the surface of films, caused when higher molecular components or foreign polymer materials do not completely melt during the extrusion process. They are characterized by their size and slight elevation above the film surface. Stippen are virtually unavoidable in PE films. Additionally, impurities from material abrasion, dust, or other contaminants can contribute to their formation. Deposits on the machine's internal surfaces or prolonged exposure to high temperatures during machine downtime may lead to brownish specks (burned material). Poorly homogenized additives, such as pigments or anti-blocking agents, can also result in stippen. Film manufacturers aim to reduce both the frequency and size of stippen to ensure they do not interfere with the film production process.
Stretch Foil
Stretch film refers to a type of film that is stretched over rollers running at different speeds after the production process is completed. This process differs from monoaxial or biaxial stretching, which takes place immediately after the film exits the extrusion die. It is primarily used for packaging, most often for palletizing. These films are typically made from LD or LLD-PE (Low Density or Linear Low-Density Polyethylene), providing flexibility and durability for securing goods.
Tear-off Perforation
A perforated tear line makes it easier to separate connected bags or sacks.
Thermoplastics
Plastics that can be plastically deformed within a specific temperature range.
Translucent
The film allows light to pass through but scatters it, making objects behind it appear blurred or completely unrecognizable.
Transparency
Transparency refers to the light transmission or clarity of a film. It is categorized into three levels: OPAQUE, TRANSLUCENT, or CLEAR.
Tube Foil
In the blow film extrusion process, the film is produced as a tubular structure. This tube film is then either processed further or delivered as is.
UV Resistance
An additive is used to delay the degradation of the film caused by light exposure. The level of UV resistance can be adjusted by varying the amount of the additive mixed into the film.
Vacuum
From the Latin vacuus, meaning "empty" or "free," it commonly refers to a space where the (air) pressure is significantly lower than that of the surrounding environment.
Vapor Barrier Foil
Provides a long-lasting vapor barrier function and airtightness in drywall construction. It is used in both ventilated and unventilated roof structures. By creating airtight seals, it effectively prevents drafts and the penetration of moisture into the insulation.
Waste Act
The Circular Economy and Waste Act (KrW-/AbfG) governs the handling and disposal of waste in Germany.
Water-Soluble Foil Made from PVOH
This foil, once dissolved in water, is fully biodegradable. The solution is broken down by microorganisms in treatment plants, converting it into carbon dioxide and water.
Weld Seam
A connection seam created by welding the film. The film is heated until it becomes pliable, then pressed together to fuse as it cools.
Weld Seam Strength
Defines the durability and strength of a weld seam.
Y-Shrink Cover
A Y-shrink cover is a specialized form of shrink cover where the shrink direction is reversed during production, providing enhanced stability for goods packed on a pallet. Unlike standard covers with two side gussets, this design includes a bottom fold that acts as a “lid” over the pallet. Consequently, this type of shrink cover is also referred to as a “top-fold cover.”