SPOTLIGHT ON:


More flexibility for shrink films


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aunched onto the market three years ago, shrink films based on Styrolux®


HS 70 have now become


well-established in the European sleeve market. Compared to conventional mixtures of SBC (styrene butadiene block copolymer) and PS (polystyrene), this material stands out for its very high final shrinkage of more than 70 percent. BASF researchers have now developed even further improved Styrolux grades with an eye towards expanding the product line for this application. They have done so in response to the industry’s desire for stiffer films that allow even larger, more complex objects to be shrink-labeled and the thickness of the sleeve film to be further reduced. A two-component concept that differs from Styrolux HS 70 is being implemented for the first time: with Styrolux T (T = toughness) and Styrolux S (S =


Sustainable products – just a mouse click away


policy makers are more and more confronted with this question during discussions about climate and the environment. Up to now, anyone who wanted to base a decision on a solid foundation had to turn to extensive individual eco-efficiency analyses or other life cycle assessments (LCA) that scrutinize the consumption of resources during the manufacture, use and disposal phases of a plastic product. A new BASF online tool, the so-called Ecovio®


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hen does it make sense to use biodegradable plastics? Packaging industry, consumers and


stiffness), this concept offers two new Styrolux grades with which the desired property profile of the shrink film can be set when the processor blends them, and only once they are put together do they yield the film material “Styrolux T/S”. The two-component concept taps into new application possibilities for sleeves and particularly for ROSO films.


A new milestone in the history of


polymer foams Polymer foams are a success story for BASF. This story began in 1952 with the invention of Styropor®


(XPS), the (EPS: expandable


polystyrene). Today, following the successful development of the extruded polystyrene rigid foam panels Styrodur®


tough-elastic polyolefin range Neopolen® the melamine resin foam Basotect®


, and


the advanced version of EPS for thermal insulation Neopor®


, BASF has a broad


interface. Various parameters that are crucial for the ecological evaluation of a given product can be quickly checked, revealing their impact on the product’s eco- efficiency right away. The uncomplicated comparison of the ecological footprint of various approaches allows the user to quickly ascertain whether, in the final analysis, a biodegradable plastic is actually more environmentally friendly. For the time being the E³C is still tailored for shopping bags and foam trays; other product groups will be added soon.


portfolio and unique know-how when it comes to particle and extrusion foams. Continuous research and the launch of new products on the market open up new applications in a lot of industry sectors: the automotive industry as well as aviation, but also solar technology, construction and of course the packaging industry. BASF has now succeeded with another innovation: E-por®


, a material which is based on a Eco-Efficiency


Compass (E³C), will make this decision much easier in the future. The software compiles all of the relevant data for the production and disposal of selected products – the findings of many exhaustive Eco- Efficiency Analyses – in a single user-friendly


Around the world – safe and sound


henever goods are transported in large unit loads – be it by sea, land or air – they are usually consolidated on pallets for easier handling. As a rule, products made of wood are used for this purpose. A new generation of transport pallets made of plastic is being launched onto the market by the Hirsch Group, located in Glanegg, Austria. These pallets overcome quite a few of the drawbacks of the conventional models: among other things, they are easier to clean and very sturdy, but first and foremost, they weigh much less than EuroPallets made of wood. The highly elastic BASF styrene butadiene copolymer Styroflex® 2G66 is playing a crucial role in this innovation. Engineers at Hirsch are using Styroflex 2G66 as a toughness modifier for the HIPS film (HIPS: High- impact polystyrene) that protects the lightweight core


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of the new pallets against damage. Compared to conventional wooden pallets, weighing 20 to 40 kilograms, or newer metal-reinforced polyethylene pallets, the innovative products from the Hirsch Group offer the advantage of a significantly lower weight: they weigh 50 up to 75 percent less than wooden pallets or solid plastic pallets.


new formulation and is manufactured in a new production process. E-por is the first tough-elastic, crack-resistant foam which can be transported, stored, processed and recycled like traditional Styropor. The material is noted for very good fusion of the surface, excellent resistance to solvents, and an appealing look and feel. Because of its high crack-resistance it is multishock- safe and therefore well-suited to being used as transport packaging for high-quality, shock-sensitive electrical and electronic (E/E) products, such as plasma televisions, laptops, refrigerators or washing machines.


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FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.PLASTICSPORTAL.EU OR EMAIL SABINE.PHILIPP@BASF.COM.


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