FFPC now provides LÜ® biodegradable packaging (Compostable/Degradable), which has passed BPI and DIN CERTCO certifications. Interested clients are welcome to contact FFPC offices to give us the opportunity to make our best recommendation.

You can also refer to the page description on Eco-Packaging on our official website regarding biodegradable packaging.

The current international green packaging trend included the so-called 3R+1D, meaning  Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, and Degradable/Compostable.

FFPC provides LÜ® biodegradable packaging collection (compostable/degradable), which has passed both American BPI and German DIN CERTCO certifications. FFPC is currently developing Recyclable Laminated Film for flexible packaging, interested clients are welcome to contact the FFPC offices to give us the opportunity to make our best recommendation. You can also refer to the page description on Eco-Packaging on our official website regarding biodegradable packaging.

There is no difference. Flexible Packaging and Laminated Packaging all refer to the same product type; it is a common name for Multi-Layered Laminated Film Packaging. In general, flexible packaging combines one type or several types of materials via one-time or multiple processing after printing, thereby allowing the packaging with numerous functions, including identification, storage, and transportation.
Similar to flexible packaging, laminated packaging (packing pouch) features mainly three structures: printing layer + functional layer + heat-sealing layer (where other materials are combined via one-time or multiple processing). The industry providing Flexible Packaging or Laminated Packaging is generally known as the Flexible Packaging Industry; those also providing printing and OEM production services are categorized into the Gravure Industry, and FFPC is the enterprise pioneer for gravure in Taiwan. Please refer to the page Introduction on our official website for more details.

We have ISO 9001 as the quality management system, as well as ISO 22000, HACCP, and FSSC22000 for the food safety management system. The environmental-friendly LÜ® packaging collection has international biodegradable (compostable) certifications including DIN CERTCO and BPI. For MONO recyclable package we obtained certification from Interseroh and ISO 14001 environmental management system. Please refer to the page description on Introduction/Quality Assurance on our official website for more details.

Packing forms can be generally divided into Rigid Type and Flexible Type. Glass bottles, metallic cans, paper boxes, and plastic bottles are rigid packaging; coffee sachets, snack pouches, liquid cleaner pouches, and candy wrapping papers are flexible packaging.

• Rigid Packaging: Has fixed form (not easily destroyed), and takes up a certain amount of storage space.
• Flexible Packaging: The form can be altered with external forces; usually have effective and simple space application via rolling or stacking method.

The difference between Rigid and Flexible Packaging: Flexible packaging is better than rigid packaging in the aspects of fixed space, weight, storage quantity, and transportation quantity. Therefore, a majority of the packaging for daily goods and foods is gradually replaced by flexible packaging. However, rigid packaging still has irreplaceable outstanding insulation and storage property that flexible packaging lacks, especially for containing acidic or alkaline chemical solvents and chemical substances, etc.

Gravure printing refers to printing content lower than the surface (appears to be sunken), where the difference in the depth of the printing surface controls the amount of the ink, thereby presenting a rich and 3D printing with layers via the stacked printing of different colors. Gravure printing usually adopts the method of printing directly with a cylinder, when printing, the cylinder is entirely covered with ink, then the ink scraper is used to scrape off the ink from the empty parts on the plate, leaving only ink on the parts with patterns and texts; it is then passed through the material with the printing roller pressing on the back to print, thereby transferring the ink in the sunken area to the surface of the material; it is then dried at last and the print is then rolled away for storage. 

In simple words, a piece of paper is placed onto the printing surface, and then pressure is used to transfer the ink in the sunken area to the material; this is called Gravure printing.

The advantage of Gravure printing is a richer, sharper, and more 3D-like performance of the ink colors, where the visual effects of the printing quality are better than Flexographic printing or digital printing. Moreover, the cylinders used for Gravure printing are more durable and suitable for large batches of printing. Influencing the unit cost for Gravure printing to be lower than digital printing or Flexographic printing. The scope for the paper base material used for Gravure printing is broader, where materials other than paper are easier to apply (such as plastic materials, metals, etc.). Hence, people would adopt Gravure printing while having a product requiring massive quantity, few editions and high visual quality. 

FFPC is equipped with several 3-color, 4-color, 7-color, and 9-color Gravure printing machines, we are one of the most professional flexible packaging and Gravure printing OEM enterprises in Taiwan.

Reverse Printing, as shown in the name, means printing on the inside of the printing material, where the printing layer is a type of transparent film, and the ink is printed onto the back of the film with the content printed in the reverse direction on the transparent plastic material. For instance, the printed film is then adhered to aluminum foil, where the structural process then goes as film + ink + aluminum foil. It is often used on transparent films, with the printing colors ranging from dark to light, and then the background is usually in solid white ink to outstand the effects of the printed colors.

Advantages of Reverse Printing:

1. Keeps a shiny shimmer of the plastic film on the surface of the packaging can attract attention from the consumers, and further accentuate the key presentation of the designed pattern together with the matte ink on the surface printing.
2. The printing ink can be protected by the plastic film and ensures the hazardous substances of the paints and the solvents to be isolated in the middle (will not precipitate) while preventing environmental pollution.
3. Stable heat-durability of the material, when the surface is faced with abrasion or heat-sealing and high-temperature sterilization processes, it can ensure stable adherence of the ink without the ink coming off, leading to unidentifiable text and patterns.

Surface Printing, as shown in the name, means printing on the exterior of the printing material. For instance, the printed yellow kraft paper is adhered to aluminum foil, where the structural process goes as ink + yellow kraft paper + aluminum foil. It is often used on nontransparent materials (such as papers, aluminum foils…etc.); sometimes a transparent ink will be added on after the last ink color to protect the ink from coming off. The printing colors range from light to dark, and please note that the ink types, as well as operating conditions, will differ for different materials.

Advantages of Surface Printing:

1. Reduces the expenses on the overall thickness of the packaging materials (decreasing carbon emission).
2. Without the effects of the surface layer plastic material, the packaging will be easier to tear open/damage.

FFPC will suggest you choose Reverse Printing or Surface Printing process depending on the client's functional differences towards the packaging.

Speaking in general, the differences between aluminum foil and metalized aluminum foil (materials) are cost and functions! Aluminum foil features excellent OTR, WVTR, scent-preservation, light-proofing, and anti-static, etc., which are all better than metalized aluminum foil. Metalized aluminum foil has the advantages of cost and transmittance of light (normally it is semi-transparent). FFPC will provide professional suggestions for material selection according to the client's packaging needs. 

A moderate vacuuming process is often conducted for product packaging to reduce the volume or extend the product lifespan. To avoid external air from entering the packaging again, packaging with gas-barrier properties function will then be required. Without air as the separation, the packaging will completely fit the content, so puncture- resistance is needed to avoid the packaging being punctured by sharp corners of the content (e.g.: bones, trays), while the exterior of the pouch must also prevent the possibility of external objects from piercing through inwardly. 

Speaking in general, vacuuming-pumping will use the nylon material, mainly providing functions of ductility and puncture resistance, while gas-barrier properties use aluminum foil or metalized aluminum foil, where the selection of the materials still depends on the client’s needs. Therefore, FFPC will provide professional suggestions towards the material selection according to the client’s packaging needs. 

Speaking in general, the function of the heat-sealing layer is allowing flat material to mutually hot melt to form a storage space for packing, it needs to be in contact with the packaging content, hence the priority concern will be its hygiene and safety, followed by transparency, temperature-durability, heat-sealing ability, opening, and contamination-prevention, etc. 

At present, the most commonly seen heat-seal layer materials are PE and PP. PE is mainly used for heavier content and liquid content, it features a low-temperature heat-seal (80~90°C）, excellent sealing properties, oxygen-barrier properties, buffering effect, pinhole-proof, and low-temperature proof, etc.; however, its shortcomings include poor gas-barrier properties, oil resistance, tear-strength, and aesthetics (the film appears more unclear). PP is mainly used to lighter content and is capable of clearly admiring the content, it features excellent transparency, heat-resistance, oxygen-barrier properties, rigidness, abrasion-proof, and can withstand steam-cooking, but it has shortcomings including a high melting point, such that it is not easy for heat-sealing, and it easily becomes crisp under low-temperature environment (below 0°C), it easily absorbs oil…etc., and other particular conditions that need to be considered such as the lid-sealing film. Therefore, FFPC will provide professional suggestions regarding material selection according to the client’s packaging needs.

Yes. FFPC is specialized in the manufacture of aluminum sealing film, various types of aluminum films, and plastic sealing films; we have over half a century of manufacturing experience in flexible packaging for food, and we can provide customized sealing films for you the product characteristics. 

There are many types, styles, and purposes for customized flexible packaging from FFPC; please refer to the page on Products with the introduction of all packaging products on our official website for more details.

Yes. FFPC provides flexible packaging that can withstand retort sterilization process or steam-cooking process. As for the concern on whether the packaging will release toxins, FFPC is a professional packaging manufacturer with experience of over half a century, and has collaborated with both domestic and international food factories. The raw materials used all conform to the relevant rules of Taiwan’s Sanitation Standard for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages. All food packaging needs are satisfied under normal usage conditions, allowing the clients to be free of concerns about the usage. However, the sterilization process differs for the packaging content, and FFPC will provide different professional suggestions towards the selection of materials. 

The tightly-sealed packaging sold on the market is influenced by the heat-sealing materials, the accuracy of the packaging factory’s heat-sealing machines, and the heat-sealing parameters. Speaking in general, packaging stresses firstly sealing property to ensure the product can be delivered to the users safely, while the need for convenience only comes second (easy to open/easy to tear open).

FFPC serves packaging that are easy to open or easy to tear open, but further discussion with the client will be required for the selection of materials or the adjustment of other relevant variables. FFPC will provide professional suggestions towards material selection according to the client’s packaging needs. 

Speaking in general, stiff packaging offers a better product display with a stiffer touch, as well as sharper edges and corners. As for softer packaging pouches, although the display ability is not good, they have a softer touch with less sharp edges and corners. There are two main reasons regarding the packaging being soft or stiff, these are relatively the overall thickness and material properties of the packaging. Taking the overall thickness for example, if the pouch itself has a thickness less than 100um (0.1mm), then the effects of the pouch using a more rigid material (PET, OPP, CPP) will still be limited. 

Comparatively, if using softer materials (L-LDPE, PE), it will still be soft even if the overall thickness reaches 150um (0.15mm) or more. There is no definite conclusion to the advantages or disadvantages of soft or rigid packaging. FFPC will provide professional suggestions towards material selection according to the client’s packaging needs.