Thin films for cigarette packaging is driving demand at Nowofol

German film extruder Nowofol is to expand production of its thin gauge PP film. The company intends to expand its total extrusion capacity from 12,000 to 13,000 tonnes a year, with the addition of a monoaxially oriented PP film line. The line – which is designed and built by the company – will produce film of 25-60 microns thickness from early 2006.

“This will be a specialised line for thin gauge film,” said sales and marketing manager Wolfgang Rasp. “It is more dedicated than most of our other lines.” The main end market for the new product is tear films for cigarette packaging, he said.

Nowofol already runs eight film lines and a pilot line at two facilities in Siegsdorf. A factory expansion will accommodate the new line – and up to four more in future. As well as PP film, the company produces a range of fluoroplastic films including ETFE.