HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA and LABELEXPO EUROPE 2005, BRUSSELS (Sept. 21,2005)…Valéron Strength Films, a leading global manufacturer of high strength label film and tag stock announces the launch of a direct thermal printable Valéron® Strength Film (Valéron DT) for high strength tag and label applications.

Traditionally, direct thermal receptive substrates like coated paper or BOPP, are laminated to Valéron film when extreme durability is needed. This product will allow converters to eliminate the lamination step for applications like airline baggage tags,ski lift tags, freight tags and hunting and fishing licenses.

The direct thermal topcoat on Valéron Strength Film is heat sensitive and generates images as it passes the printhead, thus eliminating the need for costly thermal transfer ribbons. Valéron DT is also fully flexo printable for full color labels and tags.

“This product will provide our customers a big leap forward in terms of efficiency and supply chain management with the same tear-resistance Valéron Strength Film is known for,” says Phil Farchione, vice president of sales and marketing. Even when nicked, Valéron offers unsurpassed resistance to further tearing due to our proprietary cross-lamination technology. There is NO need for red fiber patches, metal grommets, or expensive reinforcement tape with Valéron Strength Film. Valéron DT will be available from authorized distributors initially in a 6.9 mil C1S grade.

About Valéron Strength Films
Valéron Strength Films is a world leader in the production of unique cross-laminated strength and specialty films under ISO 9001:2000 registration at its Houston, Texas and Essen, Belgium facilities. Valéron® Strength Film is distributed worldwide and can be found in tags, labels, banners, tape and other high-performance applications. Valéron Strength Film can also be found in Child Resistant Packaging, Construction Films, Outdoor Banners, and Industrial
Packaging. Valéron Strength Films is a Division of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW), a Fortune 200 company based in Glenview, Illinois with net sales of $11 billion USD and more than 44,000 employees worldwide.