MATERIALS | POLYOLEFINS


and producers are more focused on customised technical innovation to increase the range of end-use applications. “Sustainability and environmental concerns are also shaping production trends and influencing material innovation in all regions, including MDO-PE and BOPE for mono-material, recycle- ready packaging,” says the report. The report maps the worldwide landscape of


production and trade flows in PE film, and provides insight on resin usage and demand trends in key consumer and industrial applications. Food packaging still accounts for the largest


Above:


Mondi has developed a mono-material PP packaging solution for sliced cheese, allowing it to be recycled in its entirety


reduced. TDS is compatible with polyolefin sorting streams, so is ideal to pair with PP and HDPE containers. TDS guarantees up to 65% shrinkage, enabling a


gradual labelling of empty and thin-wall containers with no squeezing risk or air- and moisture-trapping. Its negligible MD shrink prevents undesired ‘smile effect’ at bottle extremities, says the company.


Say cheese Mondi has developed a PP mono-material packag- ing solution for sliced cheese.


Most sliced cheese in the Netherlands is still


packaged in mixed material film, which is difficult to recycle. The new packaging – developed with cheese packaging company Hazeleger Kaas and brand owner Westland Kaas – has a PP thermofor- med top and bottom web, and a PP label, allowing it to be recycled in its entirety. “The mono-material film is recyclable, performs well on Hazeleger’s machines and keeps the cheese slices fresh on shelves,” said Peter Jagt, regional sales for Benelux consumer flexibles at Mondi. The solution has been certified as recyclable by the German institute Cyclos-HTP. “Ultimately, the lighter film and improved


product-to-packaging ratio meant we could reduce the amount of plastic used by 23%,” said Andre Roeterdink, procurement manager at Hazeleger Kaas. “This made it possible to save 9.2 tonnes of plastic per year.”


Market development Asia and Australasia is still the largest production hub for PE film – with China the single largest manufacturing nation. A report from AMI, called Polyethylene Film –


The Global Market, says that developing markets offer the most growth potential for PE film. In mature Western markets, growth rates are lower


18 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | April 2022


production volume globally, spurred by changing consumer lifestyles that require more convenience products. This category has also benefited from increased demand during the pandemic. In contrast, PE film for retail carrier bags is declining as a result of taxes and bans. As a consequence, HDPE’s share of overall polymer use is declining.


Film improvement ExxonMobil has developed a new range of LLDPE resins that it says combine stiffness, toughness and processability. The company says that its Exceed S range can help converters reduce the complexity of film formu- lations and designs while improving performance, conversion efficiency and packaging durability. It has launched three commercial grades, which


are designed to ensure low melt pressure and high output on blown film lines. Further grades will be added later. The materials have already been sampled in around 100 applications with 75 customers.


Multi-layer film typically combines several


materials – such as different types of PE – in order to maximise mechanical properties. A key attribute of Exceed S is its higher stiffness/toughness performance, which can add strength without the need for extra materials. This can allow superior performance – or downgauging. The material can be used either as a core layer or a skin layer. When used as a core layer, it can typically replace a blend of LLDPE and HDPE – such as in stand-up pouches. In this type of structure, HDPE might account for around 20% of the blend – and could all be removed if using Exceed S. Applications include sacks, and laminated and non-laminated pillows. “We’re looking to get back more simplicity in the


design,” said Olivier Adam, head of market development for primary packaging in Europe at ExxonMobil. The material can also be used for skin layers.


www.filmandsheet.com


IMAGE: MONDI


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