Innovation in PP for robust transparent packaging film

02-Nov-07

Borealis, a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, has developed the first polypropylene (PP) heterophasic copolymer packaging film grade that offers outstanding ductility together with excellent transparency. The grade is characterised by unique stiffness, heat and impact resistance combined with high gloss and low haze. This provides the high clarity of PP homopolymers together with the tough, non-brittle performance of heterophasic copolymers. New Borpact™ BC918CF will create opportunities for converters and end-product manufacturers of cast-, blown film and thermoformed applications such as pouches, label and lidding films. The combined mechanical and aesthetic advantages ensure attractive packaging with reduced potential for handling or storage -related damage. This is particularly important for items stored at low temperatures such as thermoformed modified atmospheric packaging (MAP) trays for fruit and other chilled food. Its balance of easy tear, stiffness and good aesthetics make the new grade ideal for retortable stand-up pouches, label films and carrier films for peelable lidding films. The performance benefits of Borpact BC918CF translate into processing benefits for packaging processors. The grade's toughness prevents brittleness on blown film lines. BC918CF allows significant downgauging of the film compared to standard block copolymers, resulting in material and cost savings of up to 20%. John Thompson, Marketing Manager Business Unit Film & Fibre, comments: "Consumer convenience and product differentiation are key drivers in the development of packaging. As a result, plastics are being used in increasingly demanding environments. Borealis' advanced Borpact innovation delivers a unique combination of high quality aesthetics, easy tear and strength that will provide new solutions to the challenges facing the packaging film industry and take polypropylene into new application areas." Borpact BC918CF is based on Borealis' proprietary Borstar technology, a multi-modal process that enables the molecular tailoring of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) to provide solutions that meet the exact needs of the customer.