The new line is expected to begin full commercial operations by late 2026
TOPPAN Inc. and its Italy-based film manufacturing subsidiary Irplast S.p.A. have recently inaugurated a new manufacturing line for high-performance biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films in Italy.
The new line is part of TOPPAN Group’s efforts to strengthen its global supply network for recycle-ready mono-material packaging amid tightening environmental regulations, including the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
Irplast specialises in BOPP film manufacturing and uses simultaneous biaxial orientation technology designed to minimise thermal shrinkage. The films produced using this technology offer high heat resistance, mechanical strength, transparency, and dimensional stability.
With the new line combined with its existing production capabilities, the plant will be able to support an overall supply capacity of up to 30,000 tonnes per year for high-performance BOPP films. The company expects the expanded capacity to support growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions across Europe and other markets.
The new manufacturing line uses the LISIM simultaneous stretching process to produce films with uniform physical properties and high dimensional stability. TOPPAN and Irplast plan to use the films for high-value packaging applications requiring durability under demanding conditions, including packaging subjected to retort sterilisation.
The companies also plan to develop thinner BOPP films through down-gauging, using the material’s mechanical strength to reduce film thickness while maintaining required packaging performance. This is intended to lower plastic consumption and support resource conservation.
The new line is expected to begin full commercial operations by late 2026, supplying BOPP films to packaging converters and global brand owners.
TOPPAN and Irplast will also explore the use of the films as substrates for transparent GL BARRIER films and other high-performance packaging applications, with the companies targeting solutions that support recyclable packaging and the transition towards a circular economy.
