According to BASF, Ultramid Flex F38 L is an entirely new and partly bio-based copolyamide offering greater transparency, increased softness and improved tear and puncture resistance even at low temperatures, making it ideal for soft packaging.

The company claims that films made of Ultramid Flex F are soft even immediately after processing and without conditioning. This offers huge advantages for film processing at low temperatures and low humidity.
A quarter of the raw material used for the monomer is sourced from regionally-grown rapeseed oil. Hence Ultramid Flex F38 L supports the trend towards more sustainable packaging solutions, unlocking entirely new opportunities for launching bio-based products onto the market.
The new copolyamide is said to have a CO2 and O2 permeability that is 15 times higher than in conventional polyamide 6, which means it can be used in challenging barrier applications such as for cheese ripening bags. And thanks to its high flexibility and softness, it can also be used to produce soft vacuum and shrink bags. The product also allows for conventional stretching ratios in deep-drawing processes – without any stress whitening.
While targeted at food packaging applications, these properties make the new Ultramid Flex F an excellent choice for a wide array of technical films that are characterized by sufficient ductility and tear strength even at lower temperatures.
Ultramid Flex F38 L has a considerably higher melt stability than conventional polyamides, allowing for an outstanding bubble stability and higher blow-up ratio. These processing properties enable users to optimize the entire film structure.
At Interpack 2017, which takes place this week in Düsseldorf from May 4 to 10, 2017, BASF experts will be showcasing a wide range of products and innovations from their packaging portfolio at booth 43 in hall 10, including the new Ultramid Flex F38 L.