The PPB range includes Lumex G (PETG) and Lumex A (APET) and both are suitable for screen print and UV digital flatbed printing.
Sheets of the plastics are available in a range of thicknesses and in sheet sizes from 2,050x1,250mm, costing £10 per sheet, up to 3,050x3,050mm, costing £250 per sheet.
The first is the newest brand on the market for premium modified polyethylene terephthalates (PET-G) and is for thermoforming and hot line bending applications.
PPB said that the sheet does not crystallise when thermoformed and vacuum forming can be done without pre-drying and with shorter cycle times to save energy.
Product manager Darren Raistrick said: “In the past printers have moved away from these kinds of plastics, deeming them hard to print on.
“But as inks and machines have improved they have become much easier, and as 95% of printers use flat shapes, Lumex A is ideal for things like bus and cycle shelters.
“Lumex G is good for internal work such as POS where in the past acrylic was used. A lot of the retail market however are finding acrylic can break and injure people, leading to insurance claims.
“Lumex G is nearly impossible to break. It will never replace the likes of acrylic but it will start to catch up in the market place and is a greener product.”
Lumex G is approved FDA/BGA for direct food contact and medical applications. It is flame retardant rated Class 1 and REACH and ROHS compliant.
With a strength of 150 times stronger than that of glass it is ideal for signage, display, vending machine fronts and vacuum-formed trays as well as POS products.
Unlike traditional clear PET-G grades, Lumex G also comes in special finishes from stock such as dense white, gloss black and opal. The finishes are popular for retail and display uses.
Meanwhile Lumex A is a premium-quality amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET) designed for cost-effective flat and arched POS and signage applications.
It is 100% recyclable and targeted at drink and cosmetic bottles. Lumex A is available in anti-glare and opal finishes.
PPB managing director Richard Proctor said: “The launch of the new range is already proving highly successful with substantial quantities of stock sold.
“Our in-house conversion facility, including our Schelling saw and Cauhe guillotine, means we can convert stock sizes to bespoke requirements with a tolerance of + or –0.5mm accuracy. Many of our clients are using this facility to cut sheets to the final job size required.”
Last year PPB appointed Darren Raistrick product manager for polyester. He spent several years at Paperlinx and is a specialist in the industrial plastics market.
PPB is an independently owned distributor and converter of point-of-purchase materials and substrates to the screen, digital and large-format print markets.
