Protact®

Corus Packaging Plus

For peel-off end rings

“Protact in combination withAlcan Packaging’s Alufix®

Retort membrane provides an outstanding bond towithstand the challengingpressures of continuousretorting while keeping theexcellent peel properties”

The modern and fresh appearance ofpeel-off ends (POEs) conveys a top-of-the-line image. Peel-off ends help buildbrand differentiation. With printing andembossing, the peel-off end delivers realstand-out on the shelf. This enablesbrand owners to pursue market growthwithin the canned food sector.

Protact, with its superb qualities andexcellent performance, is the material of choice to meet the high requirementsfor peel-off end rings. Being suitable for both counterpressure and non-counterpressure continuous retortsystems, using Protact opens up ahuge variety of markets like vegetablesand soup.

Large pressure differences can developduring continuous heat processing ofcanned foods. Only Protact offers thecapability to produce POE rings capableof tolerating these extreme conditions.The secret lies in the combination of the100% polypropylene coating, which has excellent adhesion with the steelsubstrate. Furthermore, the elasticity ofthe polymer on polymer bond with themembrane is only achievable with Protact.

This is confirmed by Alcan Packaging,producer of aluminium membranes. “Protact in combination with AlcanPackaging’s Alufix® Retort membraneprovides an outstanding bond towithstand the challenging pressures of continuous retorting while keepingthe excellent peel properties,”comments Andreas Ziegler, responsible for product development.

Protact® for peel-off end rings

Protact® for peel-off end ringsThe high performance materialfor tough retort applications

Protact® – a new dimensionpeel-off end rings made from Protact add a new dimension to manufacturingconvenience.

Protact has a 100% heat seal coatinglayer of polypropylene of consistentthickness. It is this PP-layer that offersseveral benefits for manufacturing,processing and the performance of the ends, compared to alternative heat seal options.

As the convenience packaged foodmarket rapidly expands, so does thedemand for peel-off ends. Be sure tochoose the best material option available for the ring!

Find out how Protact can give you acompetitive edge in the fast growingconvenience food packaging sector.We will be pleased to talk to you in moredetail about all the benefits of Protact.

Optimised heat-sealing processing• Wider operating window • Higher yields• Increased output• Higher resistance to variations during sterilisation• Compatible with modern printed multi-layer membranes

High performance ends• Fully retortable• Superior seal integrity• Higher level of security• Excellent food safety• Consistent ease of opening• Improved overall pack performance• Available in a range of colours

Range Properties

Internal coating PET 15µm clear Chemical resistance(Polyethylene Terephthalate) Low taint & flavour scalping

Excellent moisture barrier

External coating PP 25µm white, clear, gold Heat sealable(Polypropylene) Fully retortablePP 40µm clear Good chemical resistance(Polypropylene)

Steel 0.17 – 0.21 mm ECCS/TFS Other gauges on request

• Our PP coatings are optimised for heat sealability to all commercially available membranes

and for double seaming operations.

• The internal PET coating makes Protact a trouble-free, high performance packaging

material in contact with food.

Recommended specifications Protact® for peel-off end rings

Protact® for peel-off end rings

Optimised processing

Wider operating windowfor heatsealingDuring processing the operating windowof Protact is much wider than that ofheat seal lacquered material. For fixedtool pressure the range of temperaturesat which a satisfactory seal is producedusing Protact, is significantly wider thanlacquered material at all speeds.

This is especially significant at higherspeeds where temperatures must be accurately controlled. Protact thereforeoffers can makers a much more robustprocessing operation with subsequentlymuch higher yields.

Also the heatsealing time of peel-offmembranes to Protact rings can besignificantly reduced thanks to the100% polypropylene coating of Protact.This offers can makers the potential tosignificantly increase output.

High resistance to variations during sterilisationPeel-off ends with a ring made of Protact are more resistant totemperature, time and pressurevariations throughout the retortprocess. This gives fillers and brand-owners an efficient filling process: more filling options, a reduction of operational risks duringretorting, a significant reduction of the risk of premature bursting of theseals and thus a lower rejection rate.

Enables lower cost membrane optionsLower sealing temperatures can beutilised with Protact. Not only does thissave energy costs, it potentially alsoenables the use of modern printed multi-layer membranes.

Key

Heat seal lacquer operating windowExtra operating window with Protact®

0.0

200 225 250 275

SealTime(s)

Protact® Heat seallacquer

Seal Temperature (ºC)

0.1

0.3

1.0

Example of Protact® operating window

0.2

High performance ends

Superior seal integritySeal integrity is one of the mostimportant aspects in food packaging. A seal needs to be tight duringsterilisation and later on the shelf. A higher level of security is achievablethrough the use of Protact. Due to the100% polypropylene bond betweenProtact and the membrane the sealintegrity of Protact is superior to that of heat seal lacquers. When heat seallacquers are used, the bond is notcontinuous, as a polypropylenedispersion in epoxy is used to seal to the membrane. With Protact the seal integrity is simply superior, withassociated reduced risk of inadequateseals being produced.

Enhanced corrosionprotection with ProtactThe retort curl is effectively protectedagainst corrosion by the combinedbenefits of Protact. The polymercoating is flexible and formable,

enabling total protection in the criticalhighly formed curl area.

Consistent ease of openingThe superior seal integrity of peel-offends with a Protact ring does not meanthe ends are more difficult to open. On the contrary, the ease of opening is comparable to that of heat seallacquered rings.

Excellent food safetyProtact fully complies with EU andUSA food contact legislation. Protactdoes not contain PVC or Bisphenol-Anor BADGE.

Improved overall pack performancePacks made with peel-off ends utilisingProtact exhibit superior seal integrityand therefore inherently offer longershelf life.

ColoursProtact is available in a range of coloursincluding clear, gold and white.

PP particles for heatsealing properties

Main epoxy coating layer

Adhesion layer

Substratebasic metal properties

Heat seal lacquered material

Protact® for peel-off end rings

Protact® for performancePeel-off ends with a Protact® ring offer the remarkableperformance of a unique polypropylene (PP) bonding system:

• Strong – 100% bonding• Fully retortable• Superior seal integrity• Easy opening

PP top layerfor heatsealing properties

Main PP coating layerfor heatsealing and colour

PP adhesion layer

Substratebasic metal properties

Protact®

Sealed area of Protact ring: no voids due tothe 100% polypropylene coating

Sealed area of heat seal lacquered ring:showing voids

www.coruspackaging.com

Protact® is a registered trade mark of Corus.

Care has been taken to ensure that thisinformation is accurate, but Tata Steel UKLimited does not accept responsibility orliability for errors or information which is found to be misleading.

Copyright 2008Corus

Corus Packaging Plus

Dudok House 3H16PO Box 10.0001970 CA IJmuidenThe NetherlandsT: +31 (0) 251 493 186F: +31 (0) 251 470 051info@coruspackaging.com

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