Application Description
Poteries Malicornaises manufactures food industry ceramic containers with a coating of DuPont Nucrel® adhesive resin to facilitate lidding.
"Les Poteries Malicornaises" (LPM), a French manufacturer of ceramic containers for the food industry, has developed, with DuPont and Soplaril, a process for coating DuPont Nucrel® adhesive resin onto ceramic substrates, thus giving a surface which allows the use of lidding films for food contact containers.
The new technique ensures excellent sealing of PA-based films onto ceramic, a material known for being difficult to seal due to its surface texture and hardness.
LPM's innovation involved adapting the technology of the seal surface so that it can be produced smooth enough and, combined with DuPont Nucrel® , to provide optimal sealing with a variety of materials including PA/Nucrel® or polyester/aluminum/Nucrel® films developed by Soplaril for this type of application.
By avoiding the use of lacquers DuPont Nucrel® resin provides a strong bond of the seal layer to the ceramic. It also displays long lasting durability as well as being able to withstand cooking temperatures. Moreover, the inherent characteristics of Nucrel® make it possible to seal the container even when the lid is slightly soiled with fat.
The various film configurations developed by Soplaril, utilizing the strength of the Nucrel® coating, make it compatible with a number of applications. These include vacuum lidding for use before and after cooking providing maximum flexibility for deli preparations and high barrier/light tight/modified atmosphere packaging with Soplaril's polyester /aluminum/ Nucrel® triplex film.
The process developed by Poteries Malicornaises in conjunction with DuPont and Soplaril make it possible, for the very first time, to seal a ceramic container effectively and with total reliability. It provides manufacturers of ready cooked meals, seafood and delicatessen products with an opportunity to move away from more traditional and potentially expensive packaging solutions, such as shrink-bags or high-thickness thermoformed lids. Equally, the process involves no lacquers, it is aesthetic, hygienic, safe, cost-efficient and, if required, the lidding can be produced in an easy peel format. Importantly, it is also compatible with heating in microwave ovens.
Because it answers the needs of both the self-service retailer as well as the more traditional retail outlet, this new packaging solution is likely to open up new market segments and expanded marketing opportunities for food products in ceramic containers in traditional sizes or smaller individual units.
Based in Malicorne, some 30 kilometers from Le Mans, the Poteries Malicornaises company designs and manufactures a wide range of enameled and silkscreen decorated ceramic containers in various shapes and sizes ranging from 250 g to 3.5 liters. The company's design department can create customized containers meeting the customer's marketing and technical demands for each specific application.
