Easy Opening – selective weakening of flexible film

Laser Scribing is a method to apply Easy Opening functionality to multilayered materials for packaging. However, traditional tools tend to scribe too deep, damaging all layers and jeopardizing product integrity, or too shallow, demanding too much initial force from consumers to control the opening process. As a much more flexible solution, laser scribing can focus on individual film layers of composite packaging material.

Polymers like PET, PP or PE have different properties of absorbing and reflecting light at the CO₂ laser wavelength. The absorption in one layer results in ablation while the next layer made of a different material stays 100 percent intact. Aluminum or metallized layers, on the other hand, act as a highly reflective barrier to the laser light. All of this allows precise localization of the desired scribing structures within composite packaging materials. The Easy Opening function can therefore be applied without compromising the barrier or mechanical properties of the bag or pouch. The opening lines are clearly visible. Opening the package becomes easy to control for the consumer. Moreover, laser scribing is a contact- and wear-free process that guarantees consistent quality and high process reliability.