DuPont Teijin Films Luxembourg shuts down production for polyester films

Film producer DuPont Teijin Films Luxembourg has announced that two production lines will be shut down at its Luxembourg plant. Management announced that the raw material dimethyl terephthalate required for the polyester films can no longer be obtained in the necessary quantities. Approximately 160 of the 270 positions in the Luxembourg plant are affected. Film processors can assume that the products MYLAR-A and MELINEX from the DuPont range will no longer be supplied because they are manufactured on the two production lines.

Specifications of Polyester Film MYLAR-A

The MYLAR-A product has balanced electrical properties, which is why it is widely used in the electrical and electronics industries. The physical, chemical and thermal properties of the film also ensure a wide range of applications. Resistance to solvents and moisture are important prerequisites for the technical use of the films.

Even temperatures from minus 70° to 150° Celsius cannot harm MYLAR-A. The film does not contain any plasticizers, which is why it does not become brittle with aging under normal conditions. It has high tensile strength and good dielectric strength. MYLAR-A is very flexible and transparent, even if it appears milky with increasing thickness. In addition, MYLAR-A acts as a very good electrical insulator.

Their low moisture absorption is another important criterion for use in the field of electrical engineering, as is the possibility of an antistatic and self-adhesive finish.

Areas of application for MYLAR-A

When building engines and generators, MYLAR films can be processed as slot insulation, cover slides or phase insulation. In transformers and relays, the foil is used as core, layer and cover insulation. MYLAR-A can also be used to insulate cables, stamped parts or circuits.

In addition to the electrical and electronics industry, MYLAR-A is used in the automotive sector. Card applications are also possible with the material or applications in the furniture industry as well as in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Here the films are used for labels, packaging and other industrial applications.

Specifications of the polyester film MELINEX

The biaxially oriented polyester film MELINEX is characterized by very good tensile strength. It is resistant to high temperatures and resistant to many chemicals. MELINEX is also a good insulator, which is why areas of application similar to those described above for MYLAR-A come into question.

Typical areas of application for MELINEX

The MELINEX polyester film is used, for example, for flexible conductor tracks and other industrial molded and stamped parts. High-quality labels can also be made from MELINEX, as can membrane keyboards, displays or electrical insulation. Various packaging is also made from the polyester material. The foils are used as mounting foils in technical screen printing with solvent-based inks.

Why do MELINEX and MYLAR-A often have an antistatic coating?

The antistatic coating gives films a dirt-repellent property, because statically charged films attract dirt and dust like magnets. The antistatic properties are very important, especially in film assembly, because they prevent the occurrence of hollow copies in the further processing of the pre-press.

The antistatic properties of polyester films are achieved with an additive in the coating that ensures rapid discharge or prevents charging. If printing is done from a stack, the antistatic finish of the films prevents them from blocking. Thanks to smoother printing operations, antistatic polyester films ensure cost savings.

Alternatives to DuPont’s MYLAR-A and MELINEX

optimont® technical foils from Bleher films are suitable as alternatives to MELINEX and MYLAR-A. They can be supplied in a variety of formats and qualities. Rectangular formats from DIN A4 to 770 x 1030 mm, which correspond to common printing plate formats, offer a wide range of applications. In addition, these polyester films are also supplied as narrow rolls and short rolls as well as master rolls and mother rolls.

Format cuts according to customer requirements are also possible. All standard formats are offered packed in boxes with interleaving paper inserted. Special packaging is also possible on request. The product optimont® MF-SC, for example, is supplied in thicknesses of 250 to 350 micrometers and is smooth and cloudy on both sides. optimont® MF-MW is available in thicknesses from 125 to 500 micrometers in a milky-white quality.

These films are suitable as alternatives to the DuPont products MYLAR-A and MELINEX for all of the areas of application mentioned here. Depending on the area of ​​application, the finish of the films can be adjusted according to customer requirements.