hubergroup has developed a new two-component varnish, Gecko 70GL426590, that significantly improves the heat resistance of biaxially oriented polyethylene (BOPE) films – a move that could expand the use of this recyclable material in packaging applications.

BOPE films are valued for their recyclability but have traditionally faced challenges in applications requiring higher temperature resistance. With the new Gecko varnish, the heat resistance of 29 µm BOPE films increases from 120°C to 160°C, helping to improve processing flexibility and enabling use in areas such as pouch packaging.

According to hubergroup, the varnish creates a broader processing window and helps prevent films from sticking to sealing jaws. Higher sealing temperatures can also result in faster machine cycle times, offering efficiency benefits in the production process.

Formulated with ethanol, Gecko 70GL426590 is designed for flexographic and gravure printing and performs well across a variety of surfaces, including those used for food and beverage packaging. Key features include strong ink adhesion, resistance to scratches, moisture, solvents, and low temperatures, as well as a high-gloss finish.

The varnish is also NC-free, aligning with current and upcoming regulations on recycling printed packaging. hubergroup reports that the final printed varnish complies with food safety requirements when printed on the non-food contact side, based on migration test results.

In a practical application, BOPE film printed with the Gecko varnish and containing recycled polyethylene was successfully used to produce a pouch in the PlastikBOND project by the Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV) at RWTH Aachen University.