Pregis is launching Phantom Mask, a new temporary protective surface film as part of the Pregis PolyMask solutions portfolio, that has been engineered to eliminate costly and labor-intensive adhesive transfer problems on plastic sheets, parts and products. The product will be available from the Pregis PolyMask business unit across North America, Europe and other geographic markets.

High clarity Phantom Mask protective film is ideal for appliances (hot tubs, shower enclosures), medical products (face shields, PPE), foodservice (sneeze guards, partitions), signage, construction materials, automotive, recreational products and more.

Unlike traditional protective film structures, which apply the adhesive via a coating process, Phantom Mask uses a proprietary process that integrates the adhesive into the polyethylene-based coextrusion. The end result is a highly-engineered, heat-resistant material which doesn’t leave adhesive behind when it is removed. The material mitigates ghosting, making it a true workhorse in the protective film category.

Phantom Mask is applied directly onto the plastic sheet immediately after it is extruded. It is suitable for sheets made from acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS, PVC, PETG and other polymer types. The protective film stays in place all the way through the converting process (slitting, fabricating, thermoforming, vacuum forming, etc.) to ensure surface integrity. In the case of products that are delivered to consumers, the film is either removed upon receipt or in the case of a product installation, stays in place until after that step is completed to ensure a pristine appearance. 

“Adhesive residue is a massive problem that can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars of damaged parts, rework and even scrapped products. The problem is compounded because adhesives that are applied via coating become more aggressive as time elapses and have a limited shelf life. If these materials are stored in facilities with temperature fluctuations, they oftentimes will have to be discarded due to adhesive degradation. Incorporating emerging polymer science with state-of-the-art engineering, Phantom Mask addresses all of those issues, offering customers peace of mind,” said David Coughlin, vice president new product development and strategy, Pregis PolyMask.