IML Films

What is IML (In-Mould Labelling)?

IML enables injection and decoration of parts in a single production phase. The IML process presents the following advantages:

  • Elimination of the “label application” stage ➔ Reduction of manufacturing costs
  • Recyclability of injected products: the injected part and the label are on the same raw material substrate
  • Reduction of the quantity of raw material to be injected to obtain the same final thickness, as the label contributes to wall thickness
  • Lengthening of the printed label life span, even in difficult storage conditions (humidity, cold…)
  • Resistance to scratching
  • Freedom in the choice of design
  • Process that enables to print an increasing amount of information on the label (composition of the packaged products…)
  • Excellent optical results

 

The IML process is widely used for the following:

  • Packaging in the food industry
  • Packaging for industrial products (paint, chemical products, pet-food…)
  • Packaging of cosmetics products
  • Storage boxes / domestic appliances (waste bins, suitcases…)
  • Plastic cups used in the events industry
  • Decorative films for indoor and outdoor furniture

Our IML films

Manufacturing expertise, as well as the quality and diversity of our CAST films have made PROPYPLAST a specialist on the IML market. We focus much of our R&D on new technical solutions that meet ever more cutting-edge expectations in this sector and enable to obtain new IML applications.

Our LMG® range is currently highly appreciated by all the players of the IML chain thanks to its technical assets.

Firstly, our films offer several benefits for the printers:

  • Good printability and holding of the ink in various printing processes
  • The CAST film can be printed in both directions ➔ Optimisation of the label layout
  • Possibility to do high label stacks
  • Low film shrinkage ➔ Easier for the label design

Our LMG® range is also recognized by the injectors:

  • Excellent adhesion of the label to the injected substrate
  • Good antistatic properties enabling easy unstacking of labels during injection
  • Good electrostatic charge in the mould
  • Good positioning of the label on the container ➔ Waste reduction
  • Perfect covering of the part to be decorated with or without overlapping of the edges of the labels
  • Very good resistance of the pails during the drop test
  • Low shrinkage of the label which avoids lid distortion problems and thin wall deformation
  • No label degradation at the injection point (lids) and at the perforation point for the handle
  • Soft film enabling the use of labels in injection of complex shapes also with an hinge
  • Thicknesses from 60µ up to 300µ covering a large application range in in-moulding
  • Large product range of technical films (barrier, UV-stabilized, antimicrobial, bactericide and virucidal, silver effect…) expanding the IML application fields

Finally, our CAST IML films offer interesting advantages for the end users and the consumers:

  • Large product range of technical films with barrier properties enabling a longer shelf-life of the packed products ➔ Reduction of waste and preserving agents in food:
    • Oxygen barrier (including sterilization applications)
    • Light barrier
    • UV barrier
    • Possible combination of the different barrier properties within the same film
  • Antimicrobial, bactericide and virucidal properties
  • UV-stabilized product range for outdoor applications
  • Environmental protection: 100% PP films – Recyclable

Basing itself on its experience in IML and CAST process know-how, PROPYPLAST has broadened its LMG range with a series of films that enables to provide labels with technical functionalities. We are thus in a position today to offer a complementary and highly technical range:

Barrier films

  • Oxygen-barrier IML films
  • Oxygen-barrier IML films for sterilization
  • UV-barrier IML films
  • Light-barrier IML films
  • Oxygen-barrier and UV-barrier IML films
  • Oxygen-barrier and light-barrier IML films
  • Virus-barrier and bacteria-barrier IML films
Contact

Appearance effect films

  • Metallic-effect IML films
  • Black IML films
Contact

UV-resistant films

  • UV-stabilised IML films for outdoor applications
Contact
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QUALITIES COLOUR Types* PROPERTIES APPLICATIONS REMARKS
CONTAINERS & LIDS FURNITURE
Containers ≤ 1 liter Lids (no distortion) Containers > 1 liter Large containers Indoor applications Outdoor applications
STANDARD FILMS
LMG® C
LMG® W		 Clear
White		 60µ and 65µ Good antistatic properties, easy label positioning in the mould, good pail resistance in case of drop tests, no lid distortion, no thin wall container deformation, no label degradation at the injection point (lids) and at the perforation point of the handle X X
70µ and 82µ X X
≥ 90µ up to 300µ X X
SPECIAL FILMS
LMG® C SP
LMG® W SP		 Clear
White		 65µ, 70µ and 82µ New film range characterized by a lower density X X X X
LMG® W OP White 65µ Better opacity than a standard white version X X
LMG® CleanLoop® C
LMG® CleanLoop® W		 Clear
White		 70µ Film characterized by the separation, during the first phase of crushing, of the printed layer from the rest of the label and the container X X X X Circular economy
BARRIER FILMS
LMG® C BAR O2
LMG® W BAR KAR O2		 Clear
White		 65µ and 82µ Oxygen barrier properties X X X
LMG® C BAR S O2
LMG® W BAR KAR S O2		 Clear
White		 65µ Oxygen barrier properties
for sterilization applications		 X X
LMG® C BAR UV Clear 65µ and 82µ UV barrier properties X X X
LMG® C BAR O2 UV Clear 65µ Oxygen and UV barrier properties X X
LMG® W BAR LIGHT White 65µ and 82µ Light barrier properties / Complete opacity X X X
LMG® W BAR O2 LIGHT White 82µ Oxygen and Light barrier properties / Complete opacity X X X
COLOURED FILMS
LMG® SILVER Silver 82µ, 120µ and 150µ No issue with the electrostatic loading in the mould X
LMG® BLACK Black 82µ X
UV-STABILISED FILMS
LMG® C STAB UV
LMG® W STAB UV		 Clear
White		 90µ and 190µ UV-stabilised films for outdoor applications X
ANTIMOCROBIAL FILMS
LMG® C ANTIMICROBIAL Clear 75µ With bactericide and virucidal properties X X X
* other types on request (up to 300µ maximum)
The recommended printing side is identified with a red sticker on the reels. We recommend not to apply any corona treatment before printing. Storage in a clean, controlled temperature (20-26°C) and humidity environment (40-60 % RH). The storage temperature should be the same as the printing room temperature. If not, the films should be stored at least 48 hours in operating room temperature before printing. The reels should remain in their protective packaging until they are used on converting machines.