Dow introduces an Enhanced LLDPE Resin for High-Throughput Flexible Packaging Films
Horgen, Switzerland - November 12, 2009
Dow Europe GmbH (“Dow”) today reinforced its reputation as one of the leading suppliers of flexible packaging film resins by introducing an enhanced linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) resin for high-throughput lamination and protective film applications. XZ 89446.00 Polyethylene Resin is a new higher-alpha polyolefin copolymer LLDPE specifically designed for high conversion rate processability and improved seal through contamination performance for both blown and cast flexible packaging film structures.
“Flexible packaging manufacturers are increasingly demanding blown and cast film resins that offer excellent processability on film conversion equipment and packaging lines, without impacting film performance,” said Sander van Veen, Dow’s Market Manager for Food and Specialty Packaging in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa. “XZ 89446.00 addresses this need on both counts, exhibiting the physical and mechanical charateristics to make it a preferred choice for high-throughput lamination and protective film applications.”
The new resin, which can be used alone or in blends with low density polyethylene (LDPE), has a 2 g/10-minutes Melt Flow index (MFI: 190°C/2.16 kg) and a density of 0.916 g/cm³. Its high-throughput processability, made possible by an exceptional polymer design, can offer clear advantages when compared to similar melt flow index resins, including equivalent metallocene linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE) resins. The polymer design of XZ 89446.00 will potentially reduce overall processing costs in three ways: by helping to lower energy consumption by enabling processing at lower temperatures; by leveraging higher throughput efficiency to help improve the unit cost of producing films; and by helping reducing wear and tear costs for conversion equipment as a result of processing with lower extruder pressures.
For blown film lamination applications, such as for dry or frozen food packaging, XZ 89446.00 can provide improved seal through contamination performance with low seal and low hot-tack initiation temperatures. When tested against a comparable polyethylene resin used for such applications, XZ 89446.00 sealed at lower initiation temperatures by approximately 10°C.
For use in protective film applications, such as films used on glass, plastic sheet, appliances or consumer electronics products, the new resin’s higher melt flow offers smoother, flatter film surfaces with good optics, continuous high quality processing (low gels) and good chemical resistance.
For more information about XZ 89446.00 Polyethylene Resin please call +800 3694-6367 (in Europe/Middle East) or go to www.dowplastics.com.
About Dow
For Editorial Information:
Frank Neve
The Dow Chemical Company
+41 44 728 2532
Simon Dibb
Porter Novelli
+32 2 413 03 40
simon.dibb@porternovelli.be