Ampacet – Capacity to be increased at two European sites – New BOPP matte masterbatch launched – Ampacet BOPP matte masterbatch - Arhive

Leading masterbatch producer Ampacet (Luxembourg; www.ampacet.com) is raising capacity at two of its European sites in order to reduce lead times and offer more flexibility for deliveries to its customers. Ampacet BOPP matte masterbatch

The first increase will be carried out in Messancy / Belgium – the company’s largest site in Europe where it produces a complete range of colour and black and white masterbatches.

The second investment will be in Dudelange / Luxembourg, the site of one of Ampacet’s largest white masterbatch lines and the location of its European headquarters and Colour Centre of Excellence.Ampacet BOPP matte masterbatch

The additional output is planned for start-up in the fourth quarter of 2017. Capacity figures and investment costs were not disclosed.Ampacet BOPP matte masterbatch

Marcello Bergamo, Ampacet Europe’s managing director, said the investments are evidence of its willingness to serve the market properly with respect to both quality and service.Ampacet BOPP matte masterbatch

“We continue to develop new solutions for our customers and these new expansions will support us to deliver added value by enhancing our customer’s competitive advantage in the marketplace,” he commented.Ampacet BOPP matte masterbatch

In separate news, Ampacet has announced the introduction of its next-generation matte masterbatch for the bi-oriented PP film (BOPP) market.Ampacet BOPP matte masterbatch

Its Next Generation Matif range was introduced in response to the trend that started a few years ago for a low-gloss appearance.

Ampacet said matte finishes are now seen on the packaging of luxury items such as perfume and alcohols, as well as food wrapping films.

With a matte haze of more than 75%, the company said Next Generation Matif provides a high-quality finish to graphic arts and luxury packaging items.

The new product covers a broad spectrum of seal initiation temperatures, from 130 °C to 75 °C, allowing the use of BOPP matte films on various packaging equipment, Ampacet noted.Ampacet BOPP matte masterbatch

Fran?ois Thibeau, Ampacet’s strategic business manager Europe for business units Films & BOPP, said the new Matif range allows the traditional matte skin layer to be downgauged by 20-25%, overcomes the capacity constraints linked to matte skin thickness requirements with conventional compounds and also gives film producers the ability to increase line output and improve their overall operational excellence.