In modern packaging production, one of the major challenges is ensuring that printing ink and adhesives adhere firmly to smooth materials such as plastic films (PE, PP, PET). Corona Treatment is the key solution. By using high-frequency electrical discharge to generate plasma, Corona Treatment increases the surface energy of the material. As a result, it significantly improves adhesion, ensuring stable, sharp, and high-quality printing and lamination processes. Let’s join Minh Sang Packaging to explore what Corona Treatment is and how it is applied in packaging manufacturing.
What is Corona Treatment?
Corona Treatment is a surface-treatment technology that uses high-frequency, high-voltage electrical discharge to create a plasma (corona) region. The primary purpose of this technology is to increase the surface energy of inert, low-adhesion materials such as plastic films (PE, PP, PET, BOPP, etc.), coated paper, or thin metals, enabling them to more readily accept and bond with printing inks, adhesives, and other coatings.
Why is Corona Treatment needed in packaging production?
Corona Treatment is an essential technical solution used to overcome the inherent adhesion challenges found in inert, non-absorbent materials, typically plastic films and metallic foils. This method modifies the material’s surface characteristics at the molecular level, creating new functional groups that allow the surface to more readily accept and form durable bonds with inks, adhesives, and coatings.
Below are 5 reasons why Corona Treatment is necessary:
- Improved adhesion: Increases the surface energy of materials (plastics, metals) so that inks, adhesives, and coatings can adhere more firmly.
- Enhanced quality: Ensures sharp, durable printing and prevents peeling or delamination.
- Higher efficiency: Reduces waste caused by printing/lamination defects and allows production at higher speeds.
- Lower chemical costs: Minimizes the use of expensive adhesion-promoting chemicals and is more environmentally friendly.
- Versatile applications: Effective on many types of non-porous materials (PE, PP, PET, metals, etc.).
Practical application of Corona Treatment in the packaging industry?
Corona Treatment is an indispensable pre-treatment technology that thoroughly addresses the adhesion challenges of inert materials in the packaging industry. This technology plays a decisive role in printing quality, structural durability, and the overall flexibility of the production process.
- Packaging printing: Corona Treatment is a mandatory step to overcome the inert nature of plastic films, allowing ink to fully wet the surface and adhere firmly. This ensures printed products have sharp, clear images, with no peeling or fading, while maintaining stable quality even when machines operate at high speeds.
- Laminating and film bonding: The purpose is to enhance adhesive bonding strength, thereby preventing delamination of the packaging structure. Improved adhesion also enables the packaging to withstand harsh conditions such as Retort sterilization (high temperature and pressure) without compromising structural integrity.
- Material and process versatility: This technology is effectively applied not only to plastic films but also to other inert materials such as metallized films, coated paper, and non-woven fabrics. The equipment is typically installed in-line directly on the production line to “refresh” the surface, ensuring the material remains at optimal surface energy levels immediately before entering subsequent processing stages.
Minh Sang Packaging applies corona treatment in packaging production
At Minh Sang Packaging, we place quality as our top priority, and Corona Treatment is the key pre-treatment step required in every stage of production. To achieve this, Minh Sang has invested in a modern Corona Treatment system, fully integrated in-line into printing, laminating, and coating lines. This ensures that the material surface always reaches optimal surface energy levels before each processing step, guaranteeing that every packaging detail delivered to customers meets the highest quality standards.
Thanks to the application of this breakthrough technology, packaging products manufactured by Minh Sang consistently possess outstanding and sustainable advantages:
- Flawless print quality: Inks adhere exceptionally well, delivering sharp images with vibrant, long-lasting colors.
- Maximum mechanical durability: Adhesives form strong bonds, preventing delamination even under sterilization or harsh storage conditions.
- Cost efficiency: Significantly reduces technical defects, thereby increasing production efficiency and optimizing costs for customers.
- Comprehensive assurance: Provides high aesthetics and stable mechanical strength for all types of packaging—from food and cosmetics to premium export products.
Conclusion
Corona Treatment is a key technology that transforms inert (non-polar) material surfaces into ones that can effectively receive ink and adhesives. This is a decisive factor enabling packaging manufacturers to achieve the highest quality standards, delivering products that are aesthetic, durable, and reliable for customers.
