November, 12, 2025 - At K 2025 in Düsseldorf,, Reifenhäuser showcased a range of end applications focusing on sustainability, quality, and profitability. Together with raw material partners and packaging manufacturers, Reifenhäuser presented two records in terms of output and downgauging.

14 micrometers: the world's thinnest MDO PE blown film for sustainable all-PE pouches

Reifenhäuser Blown Film claims it has succeeded in producing a 14 µm MDO-PE film with stable processability. Just a year ago, the extrusion specialists set a new market record with an 18 µm MDO PE film and announced further downgauging potential. This has now been realized with the improvement to just 14 µm and was presented at K 2025 in the form of a market-ready all-PE stand-up pouch (photo). The technology behind it is called EVO Ultra Stretch – a patented MDO unit that is positioned directly in the haul-off section of the blown film line and stretches the film from the first heat. In combination with specially developed raw materials from Borouge and Borealis, this technology makes the process particularly stable, which is often the limiting factor for material reduction. According to Reifenhäuser, Ultra Stretch provides additional added value when EVOH is used for barrier films. The barrier effect of this expensive raw material is enhanced by the stretching process, so that less of it needs to be used. The manufacturer says that, overall, this reduces production costs to a competitive level compared to conventional films, which is the decisive criterion for market acceptance.

1,000 kg/h output: high-quality collation shrink film for maximum profit

With the new EVO GEN3 blown film line generation, Reifenhäuser claims to have set a new output record for shrink film. The film is used in the logistics sector (among other areas) to bundle several individual packages – such as bottles, cans, or cups – into handy sales units. This protects the products during transport and, when shrunk under heat, ensures stable, transparent bundle packaging. Reifenhäuser uses ExxonMobil Signature Polymers for the film, which offer enhanced flow and processability as well as better mechanical performance and optics. In addition to the raw materials, the ExxonMobil Signature Polymers team also provided technical expertise in processing. With an output of 1,000 kg/h, the film is unique in the market and offers maximum profitability, Reifenhäuser says..

35 percent PCR content: High-performance industrial film for stretch hoods

At K, Reifenhäuser showcased applications with a particularly high proportion of recycled material from household waste collection (PCR). One example was a stretch hood film with a 35 percent PCR content. The film is a high-performance application in which a PCR content of this magnitude was previously not possible. According to Reifenhäuser, this is made thanks to its EVO Fusion twin-screw extrusion technology, which offers a stable production process with advanced mixing and degassing, thus enabling film manufacturers to use PCR, even from household waste collection. The German machine manufacturer says that the resulting film is both sustainable and profitable and will be in increasing demand against the backdrop of rising regulatory requirements for recycled content (PPWR).

Cast MDO pouches combine recyclability and functionality

The flat film experts at the Reifenhäuser Group showcased, among other things, a cast all-PP stand-up pouch with a high oxygen barrier, which – in addition to recyclability – also impresses with its functionality and can be manufactured in a particularly economical way.

The films for the pouch were produced on a Reifenhäuser Cast MDO line at RC-Film and further processed in collaboration with TPN Food Packaging and Wipf. Reifenhäuser says its MDO technology saves material costs for barrier films through stretching, as the process enhances the EVOH barrier effect. This allows the EVOH content to be reduced to less than five percent of the total weight of the packaging, which is also a prerequisite for its recyclability.

The MDO process offers a special added value for end customers with its so called easy-tear effect: the packaging can be torn open in one direction, as if pulled along a straight edge, and resealed using internal clips or zippers. Until now, such packaging functions in stand-up pouches were usually implemented using laser perforation, which can have a negative effect on the structure of the packaging, the barrier effect, and thus the shelf life of the packaged product. Thanks to Reifenhäuser Cast MDO technology, this property is achieved solely by stretching the film – without impairing other important film properties, the company claims.

The Reifenhäuser Group together with its specialized business units is a leading provider of innovative technologies and components for plastics extrusion. The company was founded in 1911 and has 1,500 employees. The CEO of the Group is Bernd Reifenhäuser.