A new PE grade to downgauge thickness and increase production speeds

10-Nov-05

A new PE grade of polyethylene (PE) film coupled with an upgrade to technology, will help food packers to downgauge and increase production speeds. Downgauging helps food processors use less plastics, a key savings at a time when the rising price of oil has sent polymer costs soaring. Borealis' proprietary technology, Borstar PE 2G, is a process that enables companies to adjust their PE-based packaging at the molecular level to meet the needs of their products. The process could allow food packagers to use the lowest gauge of film possible, while still meeting their requirements for strength, flexibility and stiffness. The Borstar PE 2G system consists of a new catalyst in combination with process improvements. This results in a simplified process with fewer steps that offers even better safety, through modified catalyst handling. By allowing tailoring of the molecular structure of PE to precisely match application requirements, Borstar PE 2G gives the possibility to extend Borealis' product range with more sophisticated, customer-oriented solutions that are characterised by outstanding mechanical and optical properties, such as transparency and sealability, with excellent processability. When combined with single site catalyst, packagers can produce a linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE) using the new grade. The grade meets the rising demand for film with excellent hot-tack properties and puncture resistance.