Abstract
Flexible packaging is experiencing a technological revolution aimed at increasing consumer convenience, enhancing consumer protection, and delivering new solutions for a host of challenges throughout the manufacturing and distribution chain. High performance film structures, package configurations and applications, and printing technologies continue to drive flexible packaging into existing as well as completely new markets. The Flexible Packaging Association has identified flexible packaging sales of US$12 billion within a packaging industry estimated to have total sales of about US$20.5 billion. While corona and flame surface pre-treatments have traditionally prepared finished traditional flexible packaging structures for graphic and coating enhancements, this paper presents evidence of new flexible packaging print adhesion performance benefits using atmospheric plasma treatment (APT) technology.