Heat Seal Coatings

Achieve excellent bond strength at low to medium initiation temperatures with water-based heat seal coatings. This complete portfolio offers excellent adhesion to a wide selection of paper, film, foil, and metallized substrates. Michelman offers direct food contact compliant coatings with heat seal properties for both flexible and rigid packaging structures. Their versatility makes these coatings compelling options for replacing traditional polyethylene (PE) heat seals in many applications. Michelman’s heat seal coatings have a lower initiation temperature than most PE heat seals, starting at 65ºC. These lower temperature ranges allow for faster packaging line speeds and less heat generation.

Sustainability & Compliance

• Water-based
• Repulpable on fiber-based substrates
• Recyclable alternative to polyethylene (PE)*
• PFAS-free
• Direct food contact compliant
• Requires less heat/energy to form an effective seal

*When tested in typical constructions, Michelman's heat seal technology has been certified recyclable by PTS and Western Michigan University. For more details on the specific grades tested and certifications obtained, please contact us.

Functional Characteristics

• Low seal initiation temperatures with excellent hot tack starting at 65ºC
• Excellent bond strength, up to 800g/25mm with fiber tear (depending on paper)
• Forms an effective seal with itself, other coatings, and metallized surfaces
• Seals through contaminants
• Maintains seal at tropical humidity levels
• Select grades provide additional barriers for water, vapor, oxygen, oil, and grease

Runnability/Ease of Use

• Adheres to a wide range of paper, film, foil, and metallized substrates
• Works alone or as part of a complete coating system
• Superior clarity improves shelf appeal for film-based structures
• Options for both flexible and rigid packaging constructions
• Wide operating window and coefficient of friction (COF) range accomodates different speeds, temperatures, and humidity levels
• Works on both horizontal and vertical form/fill/seal (FFS) lines
• Helps maintain package integrity throughout processing and distribution

Applications

Increase the Performance Threshold of Recyclable Paper-based Flexible Packaging

Our multifunctional heat seal coatings are the foundation for achieving a range of increased barrier levels in paper packaging while maintaining recyclability.

• In addition to creating a strong, air-tight seal, when applied directly to paper substrates with no other coatings, they can provide moderate vapor barrier and grease resistance suitable for protecting applications such as frozen foods.
• Paired with one of our Michem® Flex barrier coatings, the increased oxygen barrier provides sufficient protection for end uses like candy bars and dry goods.
• Adding VaporCoat® as an OPV further improves the vapor barrier for high-barrier end uses such as coffee or oatmeal.
• Finally, moving to a recyclable metallized paper structure makes challenging applications such as powdered drink mixes and dry soups in recyclable packaging possible.

Move to Recyclable Mono-Material Film-based Flexible Packaging

Some applications are best served by film-based structures, including those with very stringent requirements for moisture resistance, oxygen barrier, and durability, or where transparency is needed. For these applications, our multifunctional heat seal solutions, in combination with our water-based adhesion primers, can replace barrier and tie layers composed of different materials. They offer superior clarity for clear packaging and transparent windows.

Effective at low coat weights, our coatings can contribute to film-based packaging that is lighter in weight and more cost effective to produce and transport. Replacing these other materials also makes it possible to create recyclable mono-material film structures like these:

Improve Water, Oil, and Grease Resistance in Rigid Food Packaging

Rigid packages like paper bowls, folding cartons, and cups (including those with flexible lids) rely on heat seal technology to ensure the coated side of the substrate sticks to the uncoated side. These applications typically require extreme water resistance, and a heat seal coating with built-in barrier protection against water, moisture, oil, and grease helps the structure retain its integrity.

Heat Seal Coatings

Heat Seal Additives for Medical Applications