Borealis launches BorLite innovation for flexible packaging

Thursday 16 September 2010

Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, gives flexible packaging converters a unique opportunity to gain a further competitive edge in efficiency, environmental and product performance with the launch of its BorLite™ linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) range.

BorLite sets new standards in the performance of Machine Direction Orientation (MDO) films. Based on Borealis’ proprietary Borstar® LLD bimodal technology, the range was developed specifically to optimise the enhanced film properties and production efficiency benefits created by MDO processing technology.

BorLite offers step-change downgauging, high impact strength, high puncture resistance, and good tear resistance in machine direction, in addition to lower operational costs and reductions in energy and CO2 emissions. It brings trouble-free, smooth operation to the MDO process, giving the flexibility for film performance properties to be tailored.

The BorLite range includes three grades to suit the needs of different applications : BorLite OPE792 , BorLite OPE795 and BorLite OPE797.

Trials in the heavy duty shipping sacks (HDSS) sector highlight the outstanding potential of the BorLite / MDO combination. Demanding performance specifications for HDSS films plus the industry’s concern regarding operational costs, has resulted in a move towards thinner, high performance film, with less material used in order to reduce expenditure.

Compared to existing market solutions, BorLite and MDO offer the HDSS market same or higher film performance, packaging process improvements, outstanding material reductions, and associated cost and environmental benefits. Advances include:

• 38% thickness reduction from 130 µm to 80µm
• 50% increase in impact strength
• high line speeds with up to 2000 bags/hour achieved
• high load security during transportation and storage
• reduction of bag cost per unit
• 37% weight reduction
• 8% reduction in energy use to produce a unit bag for 25kg
• 130 tons of CO2 emission reduction per 1000 tons of goods packed

Besides the HDSS application Borealis sees a huge potential for MDO BorLite films in many advanced food and industrial packaging applications such as labels, sleeves, fresh food packaging and many other areas. The launch of BorLite is part of Borealis’ on-going commitment to support the development of advanced MDO packaging solutions. The tailor-made BorLite products complement Borealis’ extended polyolefin product range for advanced packaging. Application development know-how on MDO is supported by an industrial scale MDO line at Borealis’ Innovation Headquarters in Linz, Austria. In addition, customers have access to cost and benefit analysis to assist investment opportunity and project risk assessment, alongside scale up development support.

“Together with our Borstar bimodal technology, we recognised in MDO processing technology the high potential to tackle the efficiency, product performance trends and environmental needs and challenges facing the market,” comments Paulo Cavacas, Application Marketing Manager at Borealis. “We are convinced that the advantages of BorLite combined with the application know-how and tools we can offer at our Innovation Headquarters in Linz give a competitive edge to our customers.”

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