In recent years, driven by innovative technologies, my country has continuously achieved innovative breakthroughs in fields such as high-speed rail, 5G, artificial intelligence, and clean energy. According to the "Global Innovation Index 2022" released by the World Intellectual Property Organization, my country's ranking has risen from 12th in the world in 2021 to 11th, a steady improvement for 10 consecutive years. In terms of promoting technological innovation and application, China has been at the forefront of the world.

In the field of canned food related to common people’s dining table, the innovation of canned production technology represented by film laminated steel has gradually become the first choice for canned food packaging, and it has also promoted the full entry of canned food with higher technical content and better safety market. film laminated steel is a composite material with dual properties of polymer materials and metal materials formed by laminating a layer of polymer film on the surface of tin-plated or chrome-plated steel sheets by melting or gluing. Compared with traditional tinplate packaging materials, film laminated steel has the advantages of green production, no bis phenol A, melamine and other harmful substances, good processing resistance, corrosion resistance and good barrier properties, etc., which perfectly fits the future packaging industry "smart, green, transformation , innovation" development trend and requirements.

"The Chinese can do it too"

Zhang Wencan, the former head of the research team of can making and anti-corrosion testing at the China Food and Fermentation Industry Research Institute, is a leader in promoting the development and production of film laminated steel in my country. According to Zhang Lao’s recollection: “In the 1970s, the export of food cans was a relatively important task in China. At that time, the adhesion between domestically produced coating films and metal sheets was generally only 30 to 40 kg/cm2. The method of adhesion has become an important task to ensure product safety." After extensive search on this issue in the world, Professor T.E.Mullen of Northwestern University in the United States published a paper entitled "Research on the Adhesion Between Metal and Thin Film" , so that domestic researchers understand that under the conditions of printing and coating film formation, choosing a suitable and qualified solvent and treating the surface, and properly prolonging the soaking time of the coating can improve the adhesion between the known coating film and the metal.

Zhang Wencan said: "The spread of top technology to all related industries is the inevitable result of technological progress. At that time, the research and development of film laminated steel in European countries such as the United Kingdom had been successful in the world, but they politely declined our request for learning and exchange. In Asia, Japan’s Toyo Can Seisakusho first developed this technology, and this technology is kept strictly confidential for Chinese visitors to Japan for exchanges and visitors, and no information is disclosed.” Under such a general environment, as a domestic related Zhang Wencan, the technical leader, appealed: my country should explore and research the establishment of its own film laminated steel production line.

However, under the pressure of limited conditions, scattered talents, and uncontrollable risks, the road to research and development of film laminated steel in China is very difficult. According to Zhang Wencan, in the process of promoting the value and significance of film laminated steel research and development, only Zhou Yunjie, the chairman of O.R.G., made up his mind to organize manpower to start independent research and development after learning the value of film laminated steel, and gradually raised funds to start experiments. , From a complete layman, gradually getting started, establishing various experimental conditions, and gradually making products with better and better quality. Regarding the successful independent research and development of film laminated steel products by domestic enterprises, Mr. Zhang was deeply moved: "Recalling when I was in Shanghai, when Mr. Yunjie showed me this first product, I was very pleased, moved and excited. I am very grateful to Zhou Yunjie. The chairman said, you are ambitious and scientific. Under the strict seal of others, you made the first qualified film-film laminated steel can, which has won the hearts of the Chinese people. If others can do it, we Chinese can do it too. In fact We did too."

Technological innovation leads the development of the industry

Only by returning to the industry can we better reflect the value of technological innovation. In the context of the current rapid changes in food production technology, the canned food industry is also constantly transforming and upgrading under the guidance of technological innovation. Liu Youqian, chairman of the China Canned Food Industry Association, said in an interview: "The key to the sustainable and stable development of the industry lies in innovation. In recent years, in the industry, the automated production lines for canned fruits represented by yellow peaches and citrus have become increasingly mature. Processing The process is accelerated and the efficiency is continuously improved; the manufacturing technology of tinplate ultra-thin cans effectively saves the cost of canning materials and reduces resource and energy consumption; the new material of film laminated steel is successfully developed, filling the domestic gap, and becoming the first choice for canned food packaging; these are the industry trends in recent years A model of technological innovation."

For the packaging industry in the upper reaches of the industry, Liu Youqian judged: "The earliest packaging materials for canned food were metal materials, and metal packaging occupies an important position in the current canning industry. Occupy a considerable proportion of the market share. In order for film laminated steel to be recognized by consumers in the future, on the one hand, it needs the efforts of leading enterprises in the industry such as ORG, and on the other hand, it also needs the joint support of the entire industry.”

Within O.R.G., it is also recognized that the constraints of the higher cost of film laminated steel compared with painted iron are caused by the impact of insufficient depth of industrial chain collaboration, relatively low output, and the need for investment in application-end equipment transformation. At this stage, ORG is maximizing the advantages of film laminated steel through the development and application of differentiated products. Products such as bowl can series, beer can tops, and fruit DRD cans are constantly facing the market and attracting attention. It hopes to attract the attention of the entire industry. to meet challenges together.

Film Laminated Steel With A Promising Future

With the proposal of the national "3060" dual-carbon target, the life concept of low-carbon environmental protection, energy saving and consumption reduction has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and sustainability has also become an important theme of packaging innovation. Some industry experts said: "Developing metal packaging circular economy is an effective means for China to cope with the pressure of economic transformation, tap the potential of metal packaging regeneration, create new impetus for economic development, and stimulate social vitality. The recycling of metal packaging can not only reduce the cost of environmental governance, but also Can create value. In Europe, the use of scrap steel can reduce the cost of climate change by 20 billion euros per year, and the total value of the 46.7 billion aluminum cans recycled in the United States in 2020 is close to 700 million US dollars. However, there is still room for development in China's metal packaging recycling market. It will definitely become a new driving force to promote economic development." As for film laminated steel, in the process of recycling and regeneration, it does not form waste, but undergoes a value conversion. From the perspective of recycling and even environmental protection, it undoubtedly has great advantages in the present and in the future.

In addition, in the face of the market, the popularity of prefabricated dishes has undoubtedly opened up the imagination space for the prospect of film laminated steel. ORG, which fills the domestic blank of film laminated steel, is also at the forefront of the industry in terms of film laminated steel products for food packaging, and is currently one of the few domestic manufacturers of film laminated steel suitable for food packaging. In addition, with the advantage of its own food business, ORG has made joint efforts in terms of packaging and content. On the one hand, the ORG bowl series has been developed using film laminated steel materials as prefabricated vegetable packaging, which can solve the problem of plastic bags. The problem of poor air permeability and oxygen permeability of plastic boxes affects the flavor, and it also solves the problem of damage to soft package products during transportation. On the other hand, O.R.G puts traditional Chinese delicacies into O.R.G. bowls, such as braised meatballs, braised chicken, curry beef, taro braised pork, etc. O.R.G.’s dining series products can be ready to eat after being slightly heated. Easy and delicious.

The new situation and new stage naturally put forward new requirements for enterprises. Zhang Wencan, who has witnessed the entire development history of China's film laminated steel, said: "I hope ORG will continue to work hard, assess the situation, expand the scale, and establish a more complete testing system so that the products can perform better under various harsh conditions. I also hope that O.R.G. experts are not satisfied with the existing achievements, and carry out more in-depth study, research and understanding of the relatively new knowledge of surface science, so that the coating technology can be more refined and widely used, making it more comprehensive. Bright."