Account For 60%! Synthetic Paper Materials And Similar Substrates Take The Top Spot in Label Applications!!!
Nov 24, 2022| Synthetic paper materials are one of the fastest growing substrates used in the printing industry, combining the durability of plastic with the printing properties of paper, and are stronger and more durable than traditional paper. At present, synthetic paper materials and similar synthetic substrates in the printing industry is how the application situation? Recently, the U.S. Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) on this issue to sample companies to do a market survey.
In the feedback data of the surveyed companies, 42% of the sample companies said that "customer requirements" or "specifications" prompted them to choose synthetic paper materials for printing; 32% of the sample companies said that they were attracted by the excellent printing performance of synthetic paper materials and chose to use the material; 11% of the sample companies said that the environmental performance of synthetic paper materials is good, green and sustainable; 50% of the sample companies said that these factors have influenced their decision to use synthetic materials for printing.
Selection of properties of synthetic paper materials and similar substrates
Synthetic paper is a multifunctional material with the characteristics of both plastic and paper, which is processed by extrusion process with polyolefin and other resins and inorganic fillers as the main raw materials. Synthetic paper is a new type of plastic material product and an environmentally friendly product with light weight, high strength, tear resistance, good printability, light blocking, UV resistance, durability, economy and environmental protection.
When sample companies were asked to specify the most important properties of synthetic paper materials, "strong" came in first place with a selection rate of 77%; "protective" properties came in second place with a selection rate of 45%; "durable The "durable" attribute followed with 43%, while the "sustainability" and "brightness" attributes were selected at 32% and 11%, respectively. As shown in the figure.
Synthetic paper materials and similar substrates industry applications
Since synthetic paper materials have the characteristics of both plastic and paper, they have a wide range of applications in many areas. The data of this survey shows that synthetic paper materials occupy the first place in the application of labels in the field of in-mold labels, pressure-sensitive labels and thermal labels, accounting for 60%; followed by the field of flexible packaging, accounting for 47; again for shrink sleeve labels, accounting for 19%; shrink packaging and envelopes, accounting for 8%; cartons and blister cards, accounting for 4% and 2%, respectively. In addition, 11% of the sample companies said synthetic paper materials used as other areas of application. As shown in the figure.
Ink selection for synthetic paper materials and similar substrates
According to the survey results, most sample companies choose to use three or at least two categories of UV/EB inks, water-based inks and solvent-based inks for printing on synthetic paper materials, of which, UV/EB inks are most commonly used for printing on synthetic paper materials, accounting for 66%; followed by water-based inks, accounting for 55%; followed by solvent-based inks, accounting for 28%. As shown in the figure.
Synthetic paper materials and similar substrates printing method selection
The survey results show that flexographic printing is the most common process applied to synthetic paper materials and synthetic substrate printing, with 94% of sample companies indicating that they use this method for printing; 42% of sample companies use digital printing to print products made of synthetic paper materials; and 23% of sample companies choose a mixed printing method to print products made of synthetic paper materials. In addition, 13% of the sample companies chose to use other printing methods for printing. As shown in the figure.
Synthetic paper materials and similar substrates product application market
The survey results show that among all end-use sectors, the food sector is the largest user of synthetic paper and similar synthetic substrates with 55%, followed by the household cleaners/chemicals sector with 38%, followed by the beverage sector with 34%, and the pharmaceutical, automotive, cosmetics, electronics, and wine and spirits sectors with 32%, 28%, 23%, 17%, and 15%, respectively. . In addition, 36% of the sample companies indicated that they produce synthetic paper and similar synthetic substrates for use in other areas. As shown in the figure.
