Demand higher than supply, the position of the only manufacturer in the Comecon countries and the acquisition of foreign partners are some of the moments in the history of BOPP film production in Chemosvit. Since its launch in 1978, the product portfolio has expanded. Now, it includes BOPP films for the production of capacitors as well as the packaging of tobacco products, food and other products.
Customers have been interested in BOPP films since the beginning
In the early 1970s, Chemosvit developed the idea and concept of a polypropylene (PP) program. It included the development of the production of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films. On 15 August 1975, the cornerstone was laid, marking the beginning of the construction of the premises for the PP programme.
In addition to selecting technology suppliers, a survey of market interest in BOPP films and the possibilities of their use was also carried out. It was carried out with about 100 customers and showed that the demand for the new film exceeded the production capacity of 3000 t/year in the early stages. Many customers even described BOPP film as the packaging of the future.
The production of BOPP films was launched on 12 October 1978. Nearly 23,000 kg of film left the factory during the first month. In the first three years, it was 10,000 tonnes. The quality was evaluated on the basis of standards and more than 90% of the film produced was of first quality.
Construction of a plant for the BOPP film production in 1977
Incoming demand from the electrical industry
In the 1970s, the production of BOPP films for electrical applications was developed worldwide. The capacitor production began to use synthetic films with a thickness of 4 to 15 μm as a dielectric.
This trend also entered the electrical industry in former Czechoslovakia. In 1981, Chemosvit received the first requests for the supply of film of a given thickness. At that time, our company was the only manufacturer of BOPP films in the Comecon (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance) countries.
The preparation of an investment study has started, which led to the implementation of an investment project aimed at the BOPP film production for electrical purposes. Technological trials began in June 1989, and the new machines produced the first metres of BOPP films for the electrical industry. The new product won a gold medal at the Incheba ‘89 international trade fair in the same month.
BOPP film production in 1988
BOPP films acquire Finnish partner
The supply of the first electro films in 1990 started the cooperation with Finnish companies Tervakoski Dielectric and Rani Plast. Terichem, a joint venture between the Finnish company Ab Rani Plast Oy and Chemosvit, was founded in 1995. The company focuses on the production of capacitor films.
The production of capacitor films was extended to Ukraine after the establishment of the subsidiary Terichem Luck in 1999.
As of 1 January 2017, the Tatrafan division unbundled from the Terichem brand, which focuses on the production of BOPP films for the packaging of tobacco, food and other products. The BOPP film division for the production of capacitors is active under the Tervakoski Film brand.