ZYLAR EX 720 resins are the newest addition to the ZYLAR suite of clear acrylic copolymers. With their low-temperature toughness and excellent clarity, these resins are ideal for refrigerated or frozen food packaging, co. says. They can be processed on existing styrenics equipment, have reduced part weight and improved processability.

NOVA CHEMICALS CORP. , 412/490-4000, fax: 412/490-4155, www.novachemicals.com

The Pentaform® line of custom formulated thermoforming films has been extended to include "Easy Form," a rigid vinyl film for face-seal blister and clamshell packaging. It has a more forgiving temperature range, thus reducing thermoforming problems and increasing productivity, co. says. This film is suited for pilfer-proof, high-visibility and RFID-capable packaging.

KLÖCKNER PENTAPLAST OF AMERICA, INC. , 540/832-3600, fax: 540/832-5656, www.kpfilms.com

The Diamond Jet Recording Film is an inkjet transparency film that is capable of high contrast and linear output. This chemistry-free film will work with most inkjet printers using dye or pigmented inks. It has low ink usage, a short drying time and comes in 17- to 42-in. widths.

MITSUBISHI IMAGING, INC. , 800/765-9384, fax: 914/921-2495, www.mitsubishiimaging.com

New ProPeel is a cast-polypropylene film engineered for lidding. It can be custom-formulated for various peel strengths as well as adhesion to PP and polyethylene trays. It has excellent scratch resistance and is easy to weld and peel off, co. says. The film is available in 1.2- to 5.5-mil thicknesses, web widths up to 77 in. and custom colors upon request.

AMERICAN PROFOL INC. , 319/365-0599, fax: 316/365-1696, www.profol.com

Jel Sert (West Chicago, IL) has been producing summertime treats such as Flavor-Ice® freeze pops, Mondo fruit squeezer drinks and other assorted drink and dessert mixes for nearly 80 years. It recently launched Comic Coolers, a fruit-based drink targeted to kids ages six to 12. With OEC Graphics (Oshkosh, WI) assisting with the sleeve design and The Bill Lutz Group (New York) printing the illustrations on the shrink sleeves, Jel Sert created a package that wows kids of all ages.

The company chose blow/fill/seal high-density polyethylene bottles with twist-off caps and adorned them with full-body shrink-sleeves decorated with Marvel Comics superheroes. The polyvinyl chloride sleeve film from Print Flex, Inc. (www.printflex.net) was flexo-printed in eight colors, and The Bill Lutz Group adopted the same process for the six-pack overwrap, an HDPE film from Bemis Co., Inc. (www.bemisppd.com). Comic-strip characters printed on high-end PVC film really connects with kids, says Matt Ingemi, vice president of consumer healthcare at Jel Sert. "Film is the best medium to convey high-end visuals," he adds.

PRINT FLEX, INC. , 630/595-3610, fax: (630)595-0043, www.printflex.net

BEMIS CO., INC. , 812/460-6200, fax: 812/460-6370, www.bemisppd.com

Co. introduces M-8900, a copolymer-based polyvinyl alcohol, water-soluble film. Specifically developed for compatibility with low-pH products and acidic formulations, it also offers stability with boron-containing compounds, which are usually incompatible with PVOH films.

MONOSOL LLC , 219/762-3165, fax: 219/764-4785, www.monosol.com

Co. introduces NOVACEL 9390, a self-adhering film for protecting fragile, glossy surfaces. It can also protect thermoformed glossy polyvinyl chloride foil for the 3D forming market. The film is 40 microns thick, transparent and has an adhesive without solvent. Its high luster and transparency highlights the appearance of the protected surface by preventing installation defects such as microbubbles, co. says.

NOVACEL , 33/02-3282-7233, fax: 33/02-3575-4724, www.novacel.fr

The Torayfan® CBS and CBP non-sealable, clear barrier, biaxially-oriented polypropylene films improve product freshness and extend shelf life by reportedly reducing moisture-vapor transmission rates up to 50 percent. They have better aesthetic performance than ordinary OPP laminations as well, co. says. The films feature 10 percent higher puncture resistance, 30 percent greater stiffness and excellent oil resistance.

TORAY PLASTICS (AMERICA), INC. , 401/294-4511, fax: 401/294-1480, www.TorayFilms.com