materials feature | Agricultural film
A new film grade from Borouge helps to transmit more light into greenhouses
(850 hours), to estimate that light stability over three years in Agadir.
Mineral upgrade ExxonMobil Chemical said that it has used Granic mineral masterbatches – and Vistamaxx polymers – to upgrade reclaimed polyolefin resins, including those from agricultural applications. Granic 1522 is a calcium carbonate-based master-
batch that can be used as a filler in recycled resins. The company says that it provides a faster heat transfer through the polymer in comparison to the pure resin, allowing output to be increased and processing temperature to be lowered. “This makes the recyclate film as strong as pure
virgin film,” said Sascha Norden, market developer for the EMEA region at ExxonMobil Chemical. In comparison with a C4 LLDPE-based masterbatch,
Granic 1522 delivered up to 40% savings, said Norden. Another advantage of the recycled film was higher
mechanical properties – such as Elemendorf tear. The company also explained elements of its new
Exceed XP grades for thin agricultural films – some of which were launched at the K2016 show in Germany. The films, which can be as thin as 12 microns, exhibit high tear strength at high MD orientation, as well as high toughness. They can be used in conjunction with C4 LLDPE film to allow downgauging. Similarly, mulch film made from the material has high dart impact and good puncture resistance. In similar fashion, greenhouse film with improved optics and high tensile strength can be used to make downgauged film that is 180 microns rather than 200 microns – a reduction of 10%.
22 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | April 2017
Bio-based future A number of presentations focused on the environmen- tal aspects of agricultural film – with many of them based on bio-based or biodegradable resins. Braskem presented details of how its bio-based
polyethylene has been used in the production of silo bags. The material is derived from sugarcane, and
Braskem has tested an LLDPE grade for use in silo bags. Ordinarily, LLDPE makes up about 60% of the content, with LDPE (at about 30%) providing process stability. The other 10% will be additives. In this case, Braskem used an LDPE with high melt
strength. An industrial line with a output of around 1,000kg/h was used to produce five-layer film of 230 micron thickness. The film was found to have better bubble stability – due to the higher melt strength – and increased output, from 1,030 to 1,300kg/h. Mechanical properties were also improved, said Mar- cial Cesar Vieira, application engineer at the company. “Our material is an excellent sustainable option for
silo bags: it is a drop-in solution and reduces CO2 emissions,” he said.
Biodegradable mulch Mulch film is spread directly on the soil, which helps to retain moisture. Many mulch films are now based on biodegradable materials, ensuring that the film does not have to be collected after the harvest – as it will simply rot in the soil. Carbios of France has developed an ‘enzymated’
biodegradable plastic. “It is a new generation of biodegradable plastics that
self-destruct after use,” said Emmanuel Maille, director of strategy and development at the company.
www.filmandsheet.com
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