CPPPolypropylene Film

What is CPP Film?

CPP film, which stands for “Cast Polypropylene”, is produced through a specific process known as extrusion or molding. In this method, molten polypropylene is placed on a flat surface and then rapidly cooled to create a thin and uniform sheet. Unlike many other films that are stretched in multiple directions, CPP film is only stretched unidirectionally. This characteristic gives it excellent flexibility and impact resistance, especially at low temperatures.
CPP films have quickly made their mark in various industries due to their outstanding properties such as exceptional clarity, high gloss, low density, and cost-effectiveness. These films have good resistance to tearing and puncturing and offer high seal-ability and heat-sealing capabilities, making them a very suitable choice for packaging that requires a tight seal.

Types of CPP Film

Metallized CPP Film

This type of film is coated with a very thin layer of metal (usually aluminum with a thickness of 7 to 12 microns). This metallic layer not only provides an attractive shiny appearance to the packaging but also significantly enhances its resistance to moisture, light, and gases. This feature is vital for packaging products such as chips, puffs, coffee, and tea that need to be protected from environmental factors to maintain their flavor and freshness.

Transparent CPP Film (Glossy)

This common type is excellent for packaging products that need their contents to be visible from the outside due to its high transparency and glossiness.

Matte CPP Film

This film has a dull and matte appearance and is used for packaging that needs to obscure its contents or wants to have a luxurious and matte effect, such as packaging for hygiene or pharmaceutical products.

Features of CPP Film

High Flexibility and Softness

The casting process makes CPP softer and more flexible than BOPP, and its stretchability can exceed 300%. This property makes it a suitable option for packaging products that do not have a regular shape, such as bread, pastries, chocolates, and some foods that may tear during transportation.

Excellent Resistance to Tearing and Puncturing

The unique molecular structure of CPP provides good resistance to pressure and stretching. This film typically has a tear resistance of about 150 to 250 grams/mil (based on Elmendorf testing). This feature makes it suitable for packaging products such as clothing, flowers, and food that may be exposed to abrasion or tearing, preventing damage to the contents.

Strong Seal-ability and Heat-sealing Capability

CPP has a lower melting point, usually in the range of 130 to 140 degrees Celsius, allowing for easy and strong heat-sealing operations. The seal strength of this film can reach up to 500 grams per inch (based on Peal Strength testing). This property is crucial for creating packaging with complete sealing, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries that maintaining hygiene and preventing moisture and air ingress is vital.

Light Transparency and High Gloss

The casting production process creates a smooth and uniform surface with high visual clarity. Clear CPP films typically have a haze of less than 3% and a gloss of over 90% (at a 45-degree angle). This feature makes them suitable for packaging products where an attractive appearance and the ability to showcase contents are important to consumers (such as luxury packaging or fresh food).

Applications of CPP Film in Various Industries

Food Industry

It serves as an excellent inner layer (sealant layer) and provides quick and strong seal-ability. It is used in packaging various snacks and treats (such as chips and cookies) due to its resistance to grease and moisture, helping to maintain product freshness. For packaging fresh bread and pastries, its flexibility and clarity help preserve the product’s freshness and prevent drying out. Additionally, its resistance to low temperatures (down to minus 30 degrees Celsius) makes it suitable for packaging frozen food.

Laminating Layer

CPP film is widely used as a sealant layer in the structure of multilayer laminates due to its excellent seal-ability and mechanical strength. These laminates may include layers of BOPP, PET, nylon, and aluminum foil and are used in advanced packaging for high protection (e.g., sauce sachets or spice packaging).

Textile and Apparel Industries

The transparency and tear resistance of CPP make it ideal for packaging shirts, socks, underwear, and other clothing items. This film protects the product from dust and moisture while allowing the contents to be clearly seen. It is often used in thicknesses of 20 to 40 microns for this purpose.

Property	Unit	Typical Value	Description
Material	–	Cast Polypropylene (CPP)	Non-oriented polypropylene film produced by the cast extrusion process.
Thickness	µm	20 – 100 µm	Available in different gauges depending on packaging requirements.
Density	g/cm³	~0.91	Similar to OPP but with softer, more flexible structure.
Tensile Strength (MD / TD)	MPa	MD: 50 – 80TD: 100 – 150	Lower than OPP; offers higher flexibility and softness.
Elongation at Break (MD/TD)	%	MD: 300 – 400TD: 600 – 700	Very high elongation, excellent toughness and impact resistance.
Haze (Transparency)	%	2 – 4	High clarity and gloss, suitable for transparent packaging.
Gloss (45° angle)	%	≥ 80	Smooth surface finish for aesthetic packaging.
Coefficient of Friction (COF)	–	0.25 – 0.4	Can be controlled with slip additives.
Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR)	g/m²/day	~2.0 – 3.0	Moderate moisture barrier compared to OPP and BOPP.
Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR)	cc/m²/day	~2500 – 3500	Relatively poor oxygen barrier; often laminated with PET, BOPP, or foil.
Surface Treatment	dynes/cm	36 – 42 dynes	Corona treatment to enhance printability and lamination.
Sealing Range	°C	90 – 130	Excellent heat-sealability, widely used as sealing layer in laminates.
Temperature Resistance	°C	−20 to +100	Good dimensional stability at typical storage/packaging conditions.
Recyclability	–	100% recyclable PP resin	Can be recycled in the PP stream.
Applications	–	Snack packaging, bakery products, fresh produce, lamination (as sealing layer), medical packs	Common in flexible food packaging and medical applications.

Key Differences Between CPP, BOPP, and OPP Films

While visually distinguishing between these three types of films is challenging, the main differences lie in their production processes and the resulting mechanical and functional properties. CPP has high flexibility and seal-ability, BOPP has superior strength and barrier properties, and OPP provides intermediate characteristics between the two. In many cases, these films are combined (laminated) to achieve optimal properties in packaging; for example, a CPP laminate on BOPP can significantly enhance the strength, thickness, and seal-ability of the packaging.

Why Choosing SupraPol as Your Supplier?

SupraPol, as a supplier of plastic products, prioritizes exporting high-quality products at reasonable prices to various parts of the world across five continents. One of our key advantages is providing consultation and guidance to our clients throughout the entire purchasing process, as well as assisting those who seek advice and detailed information.

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