Industries Develops Eco-Friendly PET Film for Eco Solvent UV Applications
Industries Develops Eco-Friendly PET Film for Eco Solvent UV Applications
Tokyo, Japan, December 15, 2022 — Toray Industries, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of high-performance materials, announced today the development of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film that offers excellent applicability and adhesion for water-based and solvent-free coatings. This innovative PET film is designed to eliminate solvent-derived carbon-dioxide emissions, aligning with the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions in various industries, including printing, mold release, and adhesive processing.
In recent years, the environmental impacts of organic solvents used in conventional PET film processing have become a pressing issue due to their contribution to air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. Toray's new PET film addresses these concerns by providing a solution that is compatible with coatings free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene, xylene, and ethyl acetate. This advancement not only eliminates carbon dioxide emissions from solvents but also overcomes the challenges associated with VOC-free coatings, such as peeling and poor adhesion on PET films.
The breakthrough in Toray's PET film technology is the formation of an ultra-thin layer with a nanosized dispersion of hydrophilic components that have high affinity to water and hydrophobic components that have high affinity to the resin on the film's surface. This proprietary technology ensures good applicability for water-based paints and excellent adhesion to films after drying, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of water-based and solvent-free coatings.
Toray's commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated by the compatibility of this new PET film with Ecouse® Lumirror™, a brand for recycled materials and products that the company began rolling out worldwide in 2015. Lumirror™ is a biaxially oriented polyester film, and by offering total solutions for PET film manufacturing, Toray aims to lower the environmental impact in printing, mold release, adhesion, and other coatings.
Under the Toray Group Sustainability Vision and “TORAY VISION 2030,” the company is dedicated to resolving environmental, resource, and energy issues through its business activities. Toray will continue to develop advanced materials that contribute to social progress by delivering new value and supporting the transition to a more sustainable future.
For more information, visit Toray Industries, Inc.
This press release highlights the development of an eco-friendly PET film by Toray Industries, Inc., which is set to revolutionize the eco solvent UV transparent PET film market with its innovative properties and environmental benefits.