RKW Group launches a versatile MDO-PE product

RKW Horizon® is the new generation of sustainable PE plastic films based on the latest MDO technology. Combined with RKW ProTec sealing films, they offer a recyclable, sustainable packaging solution for various packaging formats and industries. With the further development of its successful RKW Horizon® MDO-PE product line, RKW Group sets new standards in sustainability and functionality for flexible packaging solutions. The extended portfolio now also includes MDO-PE films with an integrated EVOH barrier.

Consumers are increasingly demanding more sustainability in plastic packaging for consumer goods. In addition, various countries are working on new packaging regulations, such as the PPWR (Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation) in Europe. The films also need to be easy to process. RKW’s broad product portfolio of MDO-PE films, combined with RKW ProTec sealing films, meets all these requirements.

MDO-PE films are mono-oriented PE films that acquire special properties through stretching and are marketed under the brand name RKW Horizon®. The RKW Horizon® product portfolio of MDO films is unique worldwide and includes highly transparent MDO-PE films, printing substrates, matt surface and white opaque variants, and most recently, MDO-PE films with an EVOH oxygen barrier.

When MDO-PE films are laminated with a functional Low-SIT PE sealing film, the result is packaging made from a single raw material: polyethylene. Unlike many conventional multi-material packages, these are homogeneous and therefore recyclable–the perfect match for sustainable packaging solutions. « As a manufacturer of high-quality plastic films, we are acutely aware of our responsibility. That’s why we continuously develop our product portfolio of sustainable mono-material solutions, » says Luc Hermans, Director Sales Consumer Packaging. « For example, we also offer Low-SIT sealing films with PCR (post-consumer recycled) content, which we can combine with MDO-PE films for various non-food applications.”

RKW Horizon® films meet the high demands of flexible packaging manufacturers for tear resistance, transparency, gloss, printability, and good processability. Moreover, the films offer excellent machinability on conventional packaging equipment. « With the new MDO-PE films with integrated EVOH barrier, our customers can use dedicated, special Low-SIT sealing films, as the barrier is already included in the print substrate, » explains Konrad Noniewicz, Director Application Engineering and R&D. « These new MDO films are ideally suited for coffee packaging when combined with a suitable sealing film. Traditional coffee packaging consists of different material composites and cannot be recycled. Our MDO-PE film with PE sealing film provides a recyclable mono-material packaging with equally good barrier properties. These films are also ideal as lidding or peel films. »

MDO-PE films can be used for a variety of packaging formats such as stand-up pouches, side gusset bags, pillow bags (so-called flow packs), sachets, and as lidding films. They are suitable for packaging a wide range of products: from sweets and snacks, coffee and tea, and frozen foods, to non-food items such as pet food, personal care products, and cleaning and laundry detergents.