The vast majority of FTA printer members report using synthetic substrates in their plant—88 percent—with heaviest volume occurring at label and flexible packaging converters.
That finding is far from surprising, given that most films, by nature, are classified as synthetic.
What do you consider among synthetic substrates’ most important characteristics?
(More than one answer permitted.)
Still, a recent non-scientific FLEXO Magazine poll has documented the fact that synthetic papers continue to gain footing in the packaging marketplace. The survey, conducted in the opening weeks of August, secured participation of 12 percent of printer members. Their impact, as measured, appeared largest in the label arena. Significant strides, however, have been occurring in flexible packaging applications—like shrink sleeves, sachets and stickpacks.
Patterns & Properties
Driving usage, first and foremost, is “customer request” or “specification.” Forty-two percent of survey respondents indicated that was the case. Strength was seen as attractive by 32 percent and sustainability concerns were a motivating force among 11 percent. Nearly 50 percent of the sample credited all three choices as having influenced their decision to print on such substrates.
What work most often specifies a synthetic substrate?
(More than one answer permitted.)
The number of jobs requiring a synthetic substrate can obviously approach 80, 90—even 100 percent in some flexible packaging plants; but in the label arena, better than half of respondents approximated synthetic substrate work at greater than 20 percent of jobs processed. Nineteen percent pegged it in the vicinity of 15 percent of volume; with 8 percent pegging it at 10 percent or less. The remaining 23 percent positioned it at 5 percent or less.
Asked to chart acceptance trends on synthetic papers and similar substrates, 52 percent of the audience selected “holding steady,” 41 percent deemed it as “increasing” and the remaining 7 percent experienced a drop off.
What inks are utilized with synthetic substrates?
(More than one answer permitted.)
Strength placed first when printers were prompted to specify a synthetic substrate’s most important characteristic. That ranking was applied by 77 percent of those polled. With multiple responses to the question permitted, “protection” garnered votes from 45 percent of those surveyed and edged out “long shelf life” at 43 percent. “Sustainability” came in with 32 percent of mentions and “brightness” followed at 11 percent.
Process & Applications
Labels led the pack when it came to work specifying the requirement for a synthetic substrate with 60 percent of all mentions. Flexible packaging elicited 47 percent of responses. Then came shrink sleeves at 19 percent. Shrink wrap and envelope each captured 8 percent of answers, with cartons at 4 percent and blister cards at 2 percent. Once again, multiple selections were permitted and 11 percent said other choices, not offered as a response, captured a portion of marketshare.
How are synthetic substrate jobs printed?
(More than one answer permitted.)
UV/EB inks are most often applied to synthetic papers and other substrates in FTA member plants, according to survey results. Water-based ink followed, trailed by solvents. Respective usage rates among survey responses—with most plants utilizing all three, or at least two classes—were 66 percent, 55 percent and 28 percent.
Findings revealed that flexography, as a process, accounted for the majority of synthetic substrate print work in FTA member plants—94 percent of respondents said as much. But many of them also have digital and hybrid capabilities, given that they indicated that some such jobs were directed to a digital press and others a hybrid. Forty-two percent of poll takers print some synthetic substrate work on a digital press and 23 percent assign some jobs to a hybrid—flexography + digital—platform. Other processes garnered 13 percent of mentions and established the point—feasible options are widespread.
What segments are most apt to require a synthetic substrate?
(More than one answer permitted.)
Food packaging represents the heaviest use sector for synthetic papers and similar substrates, according to results obtained in the poll. It grabbed mention by 55 percent of respondents. Edible groceries were followed by household cleaners/chemicals with 38 percent of the audience listing it; then beverages at 34 percent, pharmaceutical at 32 percent, automotive at 28 percent, cosmetics at 23 percent, electronics at 17 percent, and wine and spirits at 15 percent. Thirty-six percent indicated other choices as being an option as well.