INNOVATION | CAPS AND CLOSURES


valves, closures, dispensers, seals, gaskets and other food contact applications. “This innovative material expands Dow’s Silastic injection moulding LSR portfolio in several key areas,” says Nathalie Gerard, European Market Manager Consumer Rubber, Dow Consumer Solutions. “It allows us to help our partners along the value chain fulfil ambitious recycling targets. The innovation at the same time enables attractive gains versus standard LSR and TPE in processing and in-use performance.” In addition to its sustainability, Silastic 9250-40


Above: Borealis Borcycle UG522MO contains 50% post-consumer recycled material


mould test and at the same time, a 2 × 16 round container mould lead time is now 11 weeks under the FastTrack program. Round lid moulds also average six to ten weeks on stack mould configura- tions starting with 2 × 2 and up to 2 × 16 cavities.


New materials Polyolefins producer Borealis and closures moulder Menshen have collaborated to launch a series of ten packaging closures based on Borcy- cle, a process to manufacture a range of com- pounds made of recycled polyolefins, which can be used in rigid packaging applications. Borealis adds that this evolving technology unites recycling and compounding expertise with its own Borstar multi-modal and nucleation technologies. These packaging solutions are predominantly made for use in laundry and homecare, and also include two- component closures. The companies say that Menshen employs a


Right: The BericapValve is a TPE valve used for ketchup, mayonnaise and other spreadables


rigorous process to ensure that the quality of the post-consumer recycled (PCR) material selected for a closure is in perfect alignment with its required functionality. In the course of the collaboration, Borealis and Menshen determined that Borcycle UG522MO, a PP compound made of 50% PCR content, would be the ideal choice for the new closures. It offers a potential reduction of CO2


LSR offers key processing and performance characteristics, such as optimised processing. The white, low viscosity LSR helps fabricators improve processing compared to standard LSR while utilising established injection moulding machines. In addition, it helps brands create better perform- ing closures and dispensers for food contact and other consumer applications. The new material has been designed specifically for the moulding of closures and dispensers in a wide range of con- sumer packaging applications. Its low compression set allows reliable sealing. Due to its high resil- ience, valves made with this lightweight LSR are capable of superior dispensing performance compared to existing solutions, especially for inverted packages and in food applications. It is formulated to meet the requirements of the BfR XV recommendation and of FDA 21 CFR 177.2600. Silastic 9250-40 LSR also has low density


compared with standard LSR. Floatability is a key factor when separating materials for the production of high-quality recycled feedstocks. With a specific gravity of only 0.97, it can be split from higher density plastics in a gravity-separation process. This helps reduce some of the decisive impediments in plastics recycling and allows fabricators, brands and consumers to stay aligned with regulatory mandates and their own sustainability objectives.


emis-


sions of up to 15% when compared to the use of comparable virgin PP in similarly demanding packaging solutions. The material is also reliable and of consistent high quality, making it ideal for rigid packaging applications. A ready-made, drop-in solution with processability rivalling virgin polyolefins is possible and it provides good end-of- life recyclability in existing PCR streams. Dow has introduced its first low density liquid silicone rubber (LSR) for injection moulding for brand owners and formulators in Europe and North America. The company says that the material’s properties make it a good option for food dosing


44 INJECTION WORLD | April 2021 www.injectionworld.com


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IMAGE: BOREALIS


IMAGE: BERICAP


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