Dow Plastics says it is offering converters of blown mono layer LDPE rich structures for heavy duty film applications the opportunity to overcome a possible LDPE shortage by using its Inspire LLDPE rich high melt strength performance polymer blend systems.
The Inspire family of new generation polymers is claimed to offer customers better performance and processing characteristics than traditional PP resins. Inspire HMS 112, the first product launched in this line, is specially designed for blown film. Its key attributes are said to be excellent processability on conventional PE extruders offering good bubble stability, and excellent drawability combined with final film characteristics such as stiffness, impact resistance, and high temperature performance.
HMS 112 can be used alone, but is generally employed as a blend or co-extrusion partner with LLDPE to make thinner, stiffer and tougher, more cost effective films on all types of conventional blown film lines.
Inspire marketing manager Mary-Jane Hogg explains: "HMS 112 polymers can be used at levels of up to 30 per cent in combination with LLDPE to replace fractional melt LDPE rich mono films, for example in the area of heavy duty films. In times of LDPE shortage, customers now have the option to run blends of 70-80 per cent LLDPE with 20-30 per cent Inspire HMS 112, with an increase in output rates."
She adds: "The inherent flow properties and melt strength of HMS 112 resins improve the extrudability and bubble stability of LLDPE, while its stiffness allows for further downgauging of an inherently tougher film. This thinner film can generally be run on conventional LDPE lines, yielding more square metres per kilo of resin."