According to the company its packaging customers needed a solution that would help achieve satisfactory contrast in bar code labels, the solution was to develop a white grade of Ultem polyetherimide (PEI) film.
Known as WH217, the film is pigmented for high opacity to ensure bar code labels can be read correctly. According to the company, its tests have shown that the film provides a contrast ratio of 98 per cent.
Not only does the film save packaging companies the time and cost of having to apply an opaque top coat, it also provides flame retardance that standard PEN films often lack, while also helping to improve temperature resistance and giving better dimensional stability than polyvinyl fluoride films.
The film would work well with any type of personal care and healthcare packaging - particularly primary packaging - and is likely to be a boon for prestige and up-market mass brands.
GE Plastics says it worked with leading global manufacturers of pressure-sensitive flims and adhesives, whose feedback helped to develop the film directly according to the manufacturers, and in turn, the customers needs.
"In the past, it was usually necessary to modify translucent films to prevent the substrate under the label from showing through and to improve print contrast," said Nick Abbatiello, GE Plastics industry manager, High Performance Film.
"Now the development of the WH217 film means that step isn't needed, and may save our customers time and money," he added.