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PVC Films

PVC films are the most popular plastic wraps that are made from Polyvinylidene Chloride(PVC). PVC films have excellent stretching properties that make them the most popular packaging films. PVC packaging offers excellent food catering presentation on the shelf, and it also clings well to many kinds of surfaces.

PVC Packaging

For making PVC films for packaging purpose, polyvinylidene chloride is applied as a water-based coating to other plastic films such as biaxially-oriented polypropylene ( BOPP Films) and polyester (PET Films). PVC packaging is mostly used in food packaging industry but is not limited to it only. This PVC coating increases the barrier properties of the film and thus reduces the permeability of the film to oxygen and flavours. Therefore, PVC packaging extends shelf life of the food inside the package.

History of PVC Films

The worlds most versatile plastic film had a rather humble beginning. A rubber scientist during the early 1920s stumbled onto a new material with fantastic properties during his search for a synthetic adhesive. Waldo Semon was intrigued with his finding, and experimented by making golf balls and shoe heels out of versatile material called PVC. After then with the advent of packaging the vinyl films were formed with better material properties.

PVC Film Properties and Features

PVC films provide controlled oxygen and water vapor transmission. They operate satisfactorily on high speed packing machines. These plastic films offer exceptionally good stretch and are easily heat-sealed. They limit excessive moisture build-up while preventing the food from dehydrating.

PVC films are temperature sensitive, developing a tendency to shatter and split at cold temperatures and shrink back or block when exposed to high temperatures. The color may also change to yellow when exposed to heat.

The following table explains the characteristic features and applications of different types of PVC film products

Product	Thickness (micron)	Length m/roll	Width (mm)	Color	Major Application
PVCSGF100	35	2000	635	Silver	X'mas Decorations
	50	1000	635	Silver	X'mas Decorations
PVCSGF200	80	1000	635	Silver	X'mas decorations, ribbons, flakes, stickers, stationery, posters, boxes, name cards, gift cards, and calendars
	200/250	250	610	Silver	Glitter, sequin
PVCSGF210	50	1000	635	8 built-in Colors	X'mas decorations, ribbons, flakes, stickers, stationery, posters, boxes, name cards, gift cards, and calendars
PVCSGF300	50	1000	1020/1250	Silver	X'mas decorations, ribbons, flakes, stickers, stationery, posters, boxes, name cards, gift cards, and calendars
PVCSGF600	50	1000	635/1020	Transparent	Card Laminates & Stickers

Types of PVC Films

There are basically three types of PVC films used for packaging products. However, these three broad types of PVC films are sub divided into many other types of packaging films available with PVC film suppliers

Rigid PVC Films- have excellent printing capabilities and are used for various applications including door panels, stationary, lampshades, ceiling foil, and cooling tower. They are also used for blister packaging.

Semi-Rigid PVC Films- have excellent printing capabilities and are used for a variety of applications including bookbinding and PVC packaging.

Flexible PVC Films- are unplasticized PVC with plasticizers blended into them. They offer excellent lay-flat, a large selection of opaque colors and prints. They are used for bookbinding, pool liner, graphics, and water bed. Some of the sub-types of flexible PVC films include

• Printed and Embossed PVC Films
• Transparent Clear and Tinted PVC Films (Embossed and Unembossed)
• Extra-soft PVC Sheeting (Plain, Printed and Embossed)
• Special Grade PVC Films (Embossed, Plain and Printed)
• Laminated, Non-toxic PVC Film (medical grade)

Holographic PVC Film

With good printability and cost advantage, holographic PVC film has become a favorite material for making Christmas decoration items, stickers, stationery, and posters etc. Holographic PVC is also a great material for glitter and sequin. Read more about Holographic films

Applications: PVC Films and Packaging

PVC films have excellent thermo-formability, good chemical resistance and optimized protection. As such, they are not only used for food packaging but also for pharmaceutical packaging worldwide. They have been a major contributor to food safety, both protecting and preserving food. PVC films are used for a wide range of pharma and medical packaging. In fact, they are ideal for blister packing of tablets, capsules, needles, syringes, vials, ampoules, ointment tubes, suppository packs, medical kits, surgical dressings etc.

PVC films are also used in supermarket and case-ready processor industries because of their uniform gauge control. Precision gauge control results in exceptional clarity, elasticity and recovery, and welded package seals. This supports increased outputs on automatic packaging machinery. PVC packaging films are also used for packaging of stationery such as sketch pens, pens, etc.

Some technical applications of PVC films include print-carrying substrates, credit cards, adhesive tapes, office equipment, furniture frontage, pipe insulation and recycling films.