The Ultimate Guide: BOPA Films

With the continuous development of the packaging film industry. Demand for high-performance materials such as Biaxially Oriented Polyamide Film (BOPA) has increased. Its high Mechanical Strength and good barrier properties have made it a popular choice for a wide range of industries. This guide will take you through its production, classification, and applications. It will also teach you how to select it!

What is BOPA Film?

What is BOPA film? It is a Biaxially Oriented Polyamide Film. It is a high-performance packaging material. It is a Biaxially Oriented Polyamide Film with a special production process. It is puncture-resistant, heat-resistant, and gas-barrier with outstanding performance. It is commonly used in industries such as food packaging and medical supplies, which require high levels of protection. BOPA film is generally transparent, with high Glossiness and good clarity. It allows consumers to see the product inside. It can also be surface-treated to enhance printing and laminating performance for a wider range of applications.

How is BOPA Film Produced?

The production of BOPA film is a complex and highly technical process involving several stages, each of which plays a vital role in the final Film Performance.

• Raw material preparation
  The Raw material drying of the polyamide resin is the first step to ensure that its properties are stabilized.
• Melt extrusion
  The Raw material drying process is heated to soften it. Then it is extruded through a narrow slit into a thick sheet. The thickness of this thick sheet has to be accurate, otherwise it affects the subsequent film thickness.
• Biaxial Orientation
  The thick sheet is then stretched, both Longitudinal Stretching and Transverse Stretching. The molecules are lined up neatly. Film Performance becomes better in terms of tensile strength, dimensional stability, and barrier performance. Sequential Stretching is easy to uneven thickness and has poor print quality; Simultaneous Stretching is good, with fewer defects, and uniform thickness problems for high-speed printing.
• Heat setting
  After stretching, the film is heated to a certain temperature and then slowly cooled. The direction of Molecular Alignment is “locked”, and Film Performance is stable.
• Surface treatment
  Depending on the application, the surface of the film may be corona-treated or ionized. This improves the surface properties so that inks and adhesives are better absorbed and bonding is stronger.
• Winding and Slitting
  Finally, the film is rolled into large rolls and cut into narrow rolls according to customer requirements. The film can also be reprocessed, such as printing, laminating, and finally finished packaging. The entire process is highly automated. Temperature, pressure, and stretching rate must all be precisely controlled, otherwise, product quality is affected.

Applications of BOPA Films

BOPA films are great. It’s oil and heat-resistant, and it’s also a gas barrier and puncture-resistant. It can be used in many areas.

• Food Packaging
  BOPA film extends the shelf life of food, keeping oxygen and water vapor out. It is not afraid of oil and grease, suitable for packaging high-fat food. It is puncture-resistant and not easy to break for transportation and storage. Can also be a boiled bag, used to pack the need for high-temperature sterilization of ready-to-eat food. Such as meat, fish, etc., to ensure that the food in high-temperature conditions can also maintain good quality.
• Pharmaceutical Packaging
  BOPA film can be packaged in tablets and capsules. It can block water and oxygen to prevent the deterioration of medicines. It has high strength and good flexibility and can package medical devices to ensure safety.
• Industrial Applications
  BOPA film has high strength, good flexibility, and chemical resistance. It can package heavy and sharp items. It is chemical resistant and can package chemical products to ensure safety.
• Electronic packaging
  BOPA film can package precision electronic components, Dustproof and Moisture-proof, and anti-static. It is transparent and easy to check the components. Without opening the package, people can easily check the electronic components and equipment inside the package, which facilitates product inspection and acceptance.
• Cosmetic Packaging
  BOPA film maintains the quality of cosmetics. It prevents oxidation and water vapor erosion. It is transparent and glossy. It can enhance the value of cosmetic packaging and attract consumers.

Properties of BOPA Film

BOPA film is a packaging material with an excellent overall performance, with the following distinctive characteristics

• High tensile strength and puncture resistance
  BOPA film is very powerful, with high tensile strength, tearing, and puncture resistance. Packaging things, not afraid of handling bumps, sharp, heavy things can not take it, vacuum packaging can also be easily dealt with, the product is very safe inside.
• Excellent barrier performance
  It can block oxygen, moisture, and other bad things, like a protective shield. Perishable food, and medicine wrapped with it, the shelf life can be extended, the quality and freshness can be maintained, and consumers can feel at ease with it.
• Chemical resistance
  BOPA film oil, fat, Chemical Resistance, encountered oily foods, sauces, and so on are not afraid. In the food packaging industry, this feature is very important to ensure that the packaging does not break, does not leak, and the product will not be contaminated, or damaged.
• Transparency and clarity
  The transparency of this film is good, and you can see the product inside. With its Glossiness and clarity, the packaging looks good and attracts consumers. For high-end consumer goods packaging, it adds to the image of the product and increases the added value.
• Flexibility
  BOPA film is highly flexible and good to handle and process. It conforms to the shape of the product, reducing the risk of shaking and damage. It can be used in all kinds of packaging forms, pouches, bags, and packaging films, which is convenient and flexible.
• Temperature flexibility
  It can work stably in temperatures ranging from -60℃ to 150℃. Whether it is frozen products or high-temperature processing. It can maintain its performance, and the integrity and reliability of the packaging are guaranteed with high adaptability.
• Optical clarity and printability
  BOPA film has good optical clarity and excellent printability. Printing patterns and text are clear and colorful. It can enhance the brand image and competitiveness of the product. Attract consumers and promote sales.

Classification of BOPA Film

There are several types of BOPA films, each with its own purpose. By understanding the different types, you can better select the right film.

• High Barrier Property BOPA Film
  This type of film can keep out gases and moisture and extend shelf life. It is often used to package perishable foods and sensitive medical supplies. It is multilayered. Combine BOPA Film with other materials for high barrier performance.
• Steamable BOPA film
  This film can withstand high temperatures and pressures. It is particularly suitable for cooking packaging, such as for ready-to-eat foods.
• Blown BOPA films
  Blown BOPA films are produced by Longitudinal Stretching of the film as it exits the Die. However, this method is less common. Also, the overall strength may be slightly lower compared to other types of BOPA film.
• Metallized Film
  It is made using a Vacuum Deposition process. A layer of aluminum is plated on the surface of the film. This film can replace aluminum foil and CPP film. It is commonly used for food packaging.
• General purpose BOPA film
  General-purpose BOPA film is most commonly used. It is strong and flexible and has good barrier properties. It can be used for food, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods packaging, and more. The transparent film is clean and suitable for wrapping food, vegetables, electronic equipment, pharmaceutical products, etc.
• Printable BOPA Film
  Printable BOPA film is specially treated. It has good surface properties. It is suitable for high-quality printing. Packaging appearance is important and this film makes it easier for ink to be printed on the surface, and the printed pattern has bright and long-lasting color.

How to Choose the Right BOPA Film?

Determine the type of product.

1. First of all
   You have to figure out what you want to package. Food, medicine, or electronic products? Different products have different requirements. Like food, the baking class is not sensitive to oxygen, Fresh Produce class is sensitive; drugs are afraid of moisture. These characteristics determine what BOPA Film Performance needs to have, such as oxygen barrier, moisture, and so on.
2. Second, consider the shelf life needs
   If you want to extend the shelf life, you need to pick High Barrier Property BOPA film. Like dry food. Packaging with this film can block oxygen and prevent deterioration. Shelf life can be longer.
3. Third, consider whether exposure to chemicals.
   If the product or packaging environment will come into contact with oil, fat, or chemicals, BOPA film must be chemical-resistant. Cosmetic packaging and chemical Resistance film can prevent corrosion.
4. Fourth, consider the temperature and humidity.
   Packaging, storage, transportation temperature, and humidity are important. If the humidity is high, it is necessary to use a strong moisture-proof performance of the BOPA Film. South of the humid environment, a moisture-proof good film can prevent food moisture deterioration.
5. Fifth, focus on processing requirements.
   If the packaging process has a High-Temperature Retort process, such as steaming or heat sealing. Then you have to choose the BOPA film that is resistant to cooking. Like meat sterilization packaging at high temperatures. High-temperature retort film can withstand high temperatures, not broken, to ensure the integrity of the package.
6. Six, consider the cost.
   BOPA Film Performance, although more expensive than BOPP, etc., but good. When choosing, consider the overall cost including packaging efficiency, waste reduction, and so on. It improves packaging efficiency, reduces material waste, and is cost-effective in the long run.
7. Seven, assess the handling and storage conditions.
   Packaging in handling, storage, if you will encounter rough handling, transportation pressure. Then BOPA film must have sufficient Mechanical Strength and puncture resistance. In logistics and transportation, goods are susceptible to extrusion and collision. A film with strong puncture resistance prevents packaging breakage.