Skymark unveils new laser and slitting investment

Packaging Solutions

Skymark is investing in new integrated slitting and laser technology to expand its capabilities within the hygiene, personal care and flexible packaging markets it supplies.

The company has purchased a Universal X6lp with high powered Rofin laser and slitter rewinder by Universal Converting Equipment. The technology has the ability to scribe, laser perforate and slit at high speeds.

Scheduled to be installed during April 2018, Skymark will use the laser to create new easy open features in films for food and personal care applications including toilet tissue and lamination packaging.

Director Paul Neath said, ‘With an ageing population and more people living independently, brands, retailers and manufacturers must subtly work to make products easier to handle; packaging needs to be simple for the user with easy open formats available.

‘This major investment demonstrates our commitment to the evolving needs of the packaging market and will enable us to extend our capabilities by offering products that are demanded by consumers; making sure they receive the best packaging design, whilst ensuring it has the desired performance and function.’

Based at its Scunthorpe manufacturing site, the laser technology incorporated in the X6lp ensures accurately controlled micro perforation holes are produced at speeds of up to 350 metres per minute.

The new laser technology also provides Skymark with greater precision in the depth of the score needed. It will allow selective scoring of one or more layers of a multi-layered structure, weakening the necessary number of film layers to enable an easy peel, all without compromising the barrier properties of the pack.

Paul Glover, commercial technical director at Skymark, said: ‘These developments form part of our 2020 vision with a focus on developing new products that are retailer, brand and consumer needs driven.

‘We have always prided ourselves on delivering reliable, high quality, flexible packaging solutions for leading retailers and brands and this investment will secure our future as a leading innovator in the flexible packaging markets in the UK, Europe and North Africa, where we primarily operate.’