 2004-07-15 |
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[Reported by Blue Ming-Yao, Taipei]
YC Corporation, renowned domestically for its electronic tapes, industrial adhesives, and films, has commenced mass production at its new BOPA (biaxially-oriented nylon film) plant in the Changhua Coastal Industrial Zone. This facility, operational from July, makes YC the first and only company in Taiwan to produce BOPA film, with the investment marking one of the most substantial capital ventures in recent years within the electronic tape industry.
YC Chairman Lee Chih-Hsien stated that YC’s BOPA plant was developed with equipment from Germany’s Bruckner, along with land acquisitions, ground-breaking, and construction work completed last year. Installation started in January, concluded in May, and trial production was successful by June. Full-scale production will begin this month, with a targeted monthly output of 400 tons, supported by an investment of over NT$500 million.
Lee explained that BOPA film is a high-value, advanced material widely applied across sectors, including packaging, electronics, and healthcare. BOPA nylon film possesses four key features:
- High tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and high melting point, allowing it to withstand high-temperature steam sterilization at around 150°C and low temperatures down to -60°C. In dry conditions, it can handle even higher temperatures, with an operational range from -60°C to approximately 130°C.
- Exceptional toughness and strength, with excellent impact and burst resistance, making it easily heat-sealable and suitable for high-frequency welding.
- High barrier properties against oxygen, chemicals, and aromas, ideal for vacuum packaging.
- Excellent transparency and gloss.
Due to its strong puncture resistance, transparency, chemical resistance, and high gas barrier properties, BOPA is generally laminated with other materials because of its moisture absorption characteristics. BOPA film, when treated with a corona discharge during production to achieve a surface tension above 0.52 kV/cm, can be printed on gravure printers with inks from brands like Sun Ink and Toyo. It can also be laminated with other films such as PP, PE, or PET, depending on specific applications.
BOPA film finds applications in various packaging solutions, electronic packaging, medical materials, hot-stamping foils, metallic threads, heat-resistant separation films, and more, reflecting its extensive versatility.
Lee further outlined the company’s "333 Strategy," which has been fully implemented. The first "3" involves establishing production facilities in Taiwan, Ningbo (China), and Vietnam. The second "3" refers to organizing three companies under YC’s umbrella: YC Taiwan, Ningbo Asia-Pacific Plastics, and YC Vietnam, with YC Taiwan serving as the group’s headquarters. The third "3" includes diversifying YC’s primary product lines—films, tapes, and resins—into a broad array of product combinations. With the BOPA production line in full operation, along with BOPP production in Ningbo and resin and adhesive production in Vietnam, YC is poised for explosive growth. The combined output from these three regions will allow YC to expand its products to global markets. |
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