Klöckner Pentaplast expands North American blown film capabilities

01-Jul-09

The Klöckner Pentaplast Group will upgrade its North American production capabilities for blown A/MA/B barrier films (commonly known as Barex® barrier films). The US$500,000 investment is targeted for completion by September 2009. Blown A/MA/B barrier films are used primarily as a product contact layer due to its chemically resistant properties, barrier properties, and functionality as a heat sealing media for flexible packaging and are ideal for pouch applications such as packaging for transdermal patches and promotional product samples. The A/MA/B blown film production line will continue to be located at the company's Beaver, West Virginia, USA, manufacturing facility. Klöckner Pentaplast is the only U.S. producer of blown A/MA/B barrier film. The new technology upgrades to the current line will allow the Company to offer a wide range of capabilities to support packaging of new drug delivery systems, which require thinner gauges and precise profile control. These technology modifications will improve lay flat and thickness uniformity, which are critical to new application development, conversion equipment, and high-speed filling machinery. The Klöckner Pentaplast Group is wholly owned by affiliates of The Blackstone Group.