BASF develops tougher version of Styrolux packaging
(SBC) will help manufacturers of food service and packaging
products make more durable packging while reducing costs, the
company claims.
Rising polymer prices are putting greater cost pressures on food packaging manufacturers. Styrolux 3G55 gives food packagers the ability to minimise the cost of their packaging by adjusting the ratio of SBC to their performance and cost targets, BASF stated.
BASF uses a new polymerization technique to increase the toughness of its Styrolux 3G55, which can be used in blends with general purpose polystyrene for extrusion and thermoforming packaging.
"Compared to conventional blends of SBC and GPPS, up to 25 percent less Styrolux 3G55 is needed to achieve desired toughness or stiffness and thermoforming ratios," the company stated.
Styrolux is BASF's trademark for a brand of clear styrene-butadiene copolymers used in injection molding and extrusion thermoplastic packaging that offer clarity, toughness and low density. Styrolux is used for medical applications, food service products such as thermoformed clear drinking cups and plates, shrink labels, flexible packaging, toys and household appliances.
In addition to food service and packaging applications, Styrolux 3G55 can be used in the manufacture of blister packaging and oriented polystyrene (OPS) packaging. Styrolux 3G55 is manufactured at a BASF's plant in Mexico.
