With 25 years of experience serving the beauty, skincare, and personal care markets, COMPAX is your trusted source for high-barrier, multilayer tubes. Co-extruded tubes, the hallmark of our offerings, are designed to elevate your product’s performance by enhancing barrier properties. While our team is always available to provide guidance, here’s a comprehensive overview of the various types of co-ex tubes to assist you in making informed decisions:
Co-Ex 3 Layer Tubes #
Layers: Inner PE, Polymer Bonding Layer, Outer PE
Co-Ex 3 Layer tubes are engineered with three distinct layers, each with its own unique purpose:
- Inner PE Layer: This layer is in direct contact with your product and is selected based on the flexibility required by your product development team. For products that require a harder tube, HDPE is often chosen for this layer. In contrast, more squeezable tubes may feature LDPE for both inner and outer layers.
- Polymer Bonding Layer: Think of this layer as the “plastic glue” that binds the inner and outer PE layers together, ensuring structural integrity.
- Outer PE Layer: Similar to the inner PE layer, the choice of PE here is determined by the flexibility requirements of your product.
Co-Ex 5 Layer Tubes #
Layers: Inner PE, Polymer Bonding Layer, EVOH, Polymer Bonding Layer, Outer PE
Co-Ex 5 Layer tubes are a step up in complexity, offering enhanced barrier properties and protection for your product:
- Inner PE Layer: As in the 3 Layer tubes, the inner PE layer caters to the flexibility requirements of your product.
- Polymer Bonding Layers: These layers maintain the structural integrity of the tube.
- EVOH Layer (Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer): The addition of this layer brings a multitude of benefits. It provides excellent resistance to oxygen, gas, solvents, and oil permeation. Furthermore, it offers UV blocking properties, safeguarding your formula from UV-induced degradation.
- Outer PE Layer: This layer mirrors the inner PE layer and contributes to the tube’s flexibility.
Co-Ex Laminated Polyfoil Tubes (Co-Ex Lami / Polyfoil) #
Layers: Vary, based on your specific requirements
Co-Ex Laminated tubes introduce an aluminum sheet layer into the mix, offering unparalleled protection for your formula:
- Aluminum Sheet Layer: This layer is a game-changer, providing robust protection against oxygen, UV rays, water vapor, and even substance migration. It’s a formidable barrier that keeps your product pristine.
- Outer LDPE Layer: While the aluminum layer works diligently to protect your formula, the outer LDPE layer allows your brand to decorate the tube just as you would with a PE tube.
Co-Ex Laminated tubes are available in various material combinations to meet specific resistance requirements for filling or desired rigidity.
Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) #
Our commitment to providing you with top-quality co-extruded tubes starts with reasonable minimum order quantities (MOQs). Typically, MOQs for multilayer co-ex tubes begin at 10,000 pieces. However, do keep in mind that the complexity of the tube and specific material requirements may influence the starting order quantity.
With COMPAX as your partner, you can leverage the exceptional barrier properties of co-extruded tubes to enhance your product’s performance and protection. If you have any questions, need further guidance, or are ready to explore the possibilities, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you make informed choices and elevate your packaging solutions.
