Swiss machinery and services supplier Bobst has announced that Flexipack, an Agbara, Nigeria-based advanced flexible packaging solutions company, has installed its EXPERT K5 2900mm metalliser.

This is the first metalliser installed by Flexipack, Bobst noted.

Equipped to produce metallised biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films, the machine started production work at the start of this year.

The metallised BOPP films will be used for producing sustainable flexible packaging to cater to the growing needs of sub-Saharan African market.

EXPERT K5 metalliser features the Swiss company’s winding mechanism, which helps in controlling tension and managing heat effectively.

It has been optimised to handle a wide range of sustainable substrates, such as BOPP that helps in the development of mono-material barrier solutions.

In addition, this metalliser will allow Flexipack to save production cost and will minimise its total cost of ownership.

Flexipack managing director Eric Thibault said: “For us, a quarter is not three months but 25 years.

“So, when starting a new venture, we choose to work with focused suppliers we can trust and who have a good reputation in the market.

“Bobst is well known for its expertise in producing metallisers that can handle BOPP film well. We are very happy with the machine, which was installed earlier this year.”

The Nigerian company Flexipack is the newest BOPP manufacturer in the Africa.

The firm is currently developing a BOPP and biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) manufacturing facility on the African continent.

The initial phase of this production plant, with two 8.7m BOPP lines and the metalliser, has already commenced last year.

In the next phase, the company now aims to establish two additional film lines that are expected to start operating from 2025.

Last month, Bobst announced that it is providing two EXPERT K5 2450mm metallisers to Indonesia-based company PT Indopoly Swakarsa Industry.