Extrusion lamination is by applying a layer of adhesive and extruded between two or more layers of material. The layers are then bonded together under heat and pressure. This method is typically used to laminate a variety of different materials, such as paper, film, and foil. When compared to other lamination methods, such as adhesive lamination, solvent-based lamination, and water based lamination, extrusion lamination has the advantage of being versatile and cost-effective. However, it also has the disadvantage of requiring costly setup which makes it not suitable for short-run projects. Co-extrusion lamination is also a faster and more efficient method, and can create multilayer films with specific properties. However, it can only be used to laminate a single type of material, such as film.

The process involves the following steps:

1. The layers of material to be laminated are fed into an extruder where they are heated to a high temperature.

2. A layer of adhesive is then extruded between the layers of material. The adhesive is usually a polymer, such as polyethylene, that is melted and extruded in a thin layer.

3. The layers of material and adhesive are then passed through a set of nip rollers which apply pressure to the laminate and bond the layers together.

4. The laminate is cooled and wound up into a roll ready for further processing or packaging.

The outcome will be a single, cohesive package with excellent barrier properties, strength and printability.