Paper like PE bags have a promising future

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Polyethylene multi layer bags to match properties of paper bags

Polyethylene film manufacturers have been attempting to replace paper bags for the last several years but have not been completely successful yet. One of the major reasons is that polyethylene bag does not have good deadfold and crease retention, characteristics that are offered by paper bags. The new developments of HM HDPE grade has helped in improving these characteristics. Some of the polyethylene bags of three-layer structure containing new HM HDPE grade in core structure have crease resistance and deadfold characteristics similar to paper. Such Polyethylene bags are increasingly used in American fast food chains as well as other retail stores. These type of plastic bags are now manufactured between 15-100 micron thickness. The three layer co-extrusion system is found to be more suitable. Generally the outerlayer contains paper like film while the rigidity is derived from the core of HM HDPE. A major masterbatch manufacturer Schulman is marketing a special masterbatch called Papermatch which provides paper like feel to polyethylene in the skin layers.

(Source: Modern Plastics International, October 2000)