Arjobex a solid leader in the world of synthetic paper
Arjobex is a subsidiary of the Arjowiggins group, the world leader in the production of creative and hi-tech substrates. Among Arjowiggins' Labelling and Security Business Unit, Arjobex specialises in the development and manufacturing of synthetic paper solutions.
With manufacturing operations in both the United States and Europe, Arjobex has achieved a worldwide presence. Through its facilities, Arjobex serves customers with readily available products and expedient turnaround.
A Pioneer with a rich history
In the mid-1970s, Arjobex began manufacturing Polyart® in Europe, introducing the first plastic medium designed for all professionals in the graphics industry. After developing the European market, the company orchestrated a successful North American launch during the early 1980s. In 1992, Arjobex opened a manufacturing facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, and in the mid-1990s, the company entered the Asian market. In 1997 Arjobex doubled its U.S. plant capacity and in 2006 opened a sales office in Shanghai, China.Today, Arjobex provides products to more than 30 countries.
In an ever-expanding worldwide market, uses for Polyart continue to develop. As specialized graphics demands continue to arrive on the market, converters and printers are finding more reasons than ever to use Polyart, the synthetic paper with the printing properties of real paper. Arjobex's range of synthetic papers offers the durability of plastic and the high-quality printing of paper. The pairing of these attributes makes it a product offering a world of application possibilities and growth potential.
In addition, Polyart can be obtained in either rolls or sheets from both pressure-sensitive manufacturers and conventional paper merchants. The standard range goes from 75 g/m² (3.8 pt.) to 285 g/m² (13.5 pt.)
Solution to a world of problems
Polyart is manufactured with a unique clay coating that creates an appearance and texture similar to a matte coated paper. The result is a product that offers the surface characteristics and printability of paper and the durability and weatherability of a film. The product maintains good print quality while withstanding a variety of hostile conditions. This unusual pairing of attributes makes Polyart ideal for many industry applications, including medical, industrial, horticultural, food and beverage, bar-code label manufacturing and toy manufacturing. Produced from a film of expanded high-density polyethylene that has been simultaneously biaxially oriented, Polyart is resistant to water, oily substances, most chemical products and tearing. It can also withstand extreme heat and cold, remaining dimensionally stable up to 140 degrees F (60° C) and down to -76 degrees F (-60°C). Polyart complies with specifications for toy regulations. Polyart can be Gamma irradiated for medical sterilization processing - after being sterilized, it is microbially clean. It also meets Class 10 microchip clean room specifications. Because of its balanced physical properties, it conforms well to irregular surfaces or very tight radii. In addition, Polyart's dull, non-glare, smooth surface provides a good contrast for bar-code scannability.
Suited for numerous applications
Polyart's fine durability and printability make it an ideal solution for a world of applications. Its temperature endurance suits the requirements of applications such as ingredient labels for bottles and tubs being hot-filled with food products (i.e., syrup, peanut butters, salad dressings). It is also ideal for identification labels used in meat plants, where printed materials must stand up to grease, blood and water. Polyart also performs well in extreme climatic conditions and stands up to repeated handling and use, suiting the requirements of ski lift tickets and luggage tags. The product's recyclability fits the demands of skid and pallet labels applied to polyethylene stretch wrap. Other popular applications for Polyart include the following: thermal transfer printed bar-code labels and tags; drum labels; tamper-evident label applications; hang tags on lawn furniture and mowers; lumber tags and labels; jewellery tags and labels; plywood bar code-labels, and work-in-process labels and tags.
Prints and converts like paper
Polyart is convertible just like a paper. It will deadfold using traditional folding machinery. Polyart cuts cleanly using standard equipment and it can be die-cut into many varieties of label forms. In addition, Polyart embosses, hot stamps and perfs with ease.
Polyart's unique clay coating results in rapid ink drying and exceptional print definition. The product is also dimensionally stable, having no grain direction.
Polyart prints well on all conventional printing methods, including Flexo, Rotary screen, Rotary letterpress and gravure. It also performs well on variable printing processes, including dot matrix, thermal transfer, certain ink jet, ion deposition/electron beam, magnetography and flash fusing lasers.
Safe for the Environment
Polyart is a non-toxic synthetic paper that can be recycled and, because of its durability and long life, contributes to source reduction. Polyart contains no chlorine or plasticizer and is well-suited for the toy manufacturing industry. It is also ideal for industries maintaining stringent regulations on cleanliness and low dust particle counts -- these include the medical, electronics, computer and food processing industries.
Polyart is manufactured through high pollution control procedures, and each Arjobex manufacturing facility recycles a large percentage of internal waste. The product complies with the CONEG model legislation in regard to heavy metals, and it contains far less than the lower limits specified (100 ppm). Polyart contains no ozone-depleting chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (class 1 or class 11), and no such compounds are used during any facet of manufacturing.
In a market that changes by the day, Arjobex stands apart as a quality manufacturer of a unique and problem-solving product. Polyart's applications and potential uses will continue to expand in the future