Representing a collaboration between Ineos’ Barex, a acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer, and Rollprint’s own ClearFoil, a barrier-coated polyester, Exponent is produced by extrusion or adhesive lamination of ClearFoil to Barex.
When compared to traditional foil-based high-barrier structures, Exponent’s reduced number of layers and gauge is said to offer cost-savings, and create an improved environmental profile for a wide variety of pharmaceutical products. The structure’s high-barrier and clarity properties also make it a suitable replacement for glass vials, where cost and breakage continue to challenge manufacturers.
Exponent has been engineered to provide a chemically neutral, ultra-high oxygen and water vapor barrier with chemical resistance, Oxygen barrier levels are available as low as 0.0008 cc/100in2-24 hrs. and water vapor barrier properties are available down to 0.0008 g/100in2-24 hrs.
Barex resins provide a unique combination of chemical resistance with oxygen barrier properties, said to be equivalent to glass in a wide range of aggressive applications. Barex is also known for its use in transdermal patch laminates for nicotine, chronic pain relief medication, hormones, and other applications.
The transdermal patch, e-cigarette, and diagnostics markets are the first application opportunities Rollprint envisions for this technology. Exponent may also be used for single-dose delivery systems and cosmetic applications because of its high surface-to-volume ratio and unique barrier properties. Additionally, the high-barrier film is suitable for the emerging flexible packaging for wine and spirits segment because of its organoleptic characteristics.
