Dutch multinational Royal DSM intends to increase its Akulon XS production capacity at its Emmen facility to meet rising demands across the packaging sector.
Akulon XS is a new polyamide, which has been designed for blown films used for flexible food packaging.
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The product has a semi-crystalline structure, which helps it to act as a barrier against oxygen and aromas.
Akulon XS can also offer exceptional mechanical strength and durability, and can help in overcoming performance and productivity challenges faced by processors when using conventional polyamide 6 (PA 6) with high-crystallisation speed.
As a result, it eliminates the need for expensive blending and can offer productivity and performance gains, DSM said.
DSM Akulon, Novamid, EcoPaXX global business director Danilo Fioravante said: "Demand for barrier films for flexible food packaging continues to rise in response to the growing need to reduce food waste and for longer food shelf-life.
"This latest expansion in Akulon XS helps to address these demands and underpins our commitment to developing sustainable solutions for industry and society."
The firm expects the capacity expansion for the high-performance PA 6 to be completed within the first quarter of next year.
