Polypropylene film additive gains EU approval

Eastman Chemical B.V., a European subsidiary of Eastman Chemical Company, said that its Plastolyn R1140 hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin complies with a listing for petroleum hydrocarbon resin (hydrogenated) in the Fifth Amendment to the Plastics Directive 2002/72/EC.

A spokesperson for the Eastman Chemical Company told FoodProductionDaily.com that the EU approval process has taken 15 years.

Film modification ​

Plastolyn R1140 is a specialty plastic additive designed to modify polypropylene; as an additive it is effective at addition levels between five to ten per cent of the final packaging film, claims the spokesperson.

The resin, claims the manufacturers, allows producers to produce stiffer, thinner and visually clear film:

“Plastolyn R1140 is a smaller molecule than propylene and has a more brittle nature. ​

‘Due to its excellent compatibility and solubility in polypropylene, it is able to change the nature of the latter, adding a crisper stiffer nature to the film while also offering increased amorphous content, which is associated with improved clarity and increased moisture resistance,” ​said the spokesperson

FDA food contact clearance​

The company said that the Fifth Amendment listing follows a positive opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which is responsible for the safety evaluation and approval of food contact materials including plastic materials.

The spokesperson said that Plastolyn R1140 already has a number of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food contact clearances, the most relevant to polypropylene modification is FDA 175-1520 which allows for direct food contact with up to 25 per cent weight addition to typical polypropylene food wrapping applications such as twist wrap for candy.

Flow rate​

According to the spokesperson, Plastolyn R1140 lowers melt-viscosity during plastic film production and can improve production efficiencies in its ability to increase the flow rate of polypropylene on film lines.

The spokesperson added that the resin is currently used in the target market of film production but that, in principle, it can be used in other thermoplastic process technologies.

Shelf life ​

In addition to Plastolyn R1140, the company said that the Fifth Amendment approval also includes its Regalite resins R1100 and R1125.

The company claims that Regalite also enables plastic wrap to be thinner, clearer and stiffer, and offers at least 20 per cent more moisture resistance than traditional films, ensuring not only prominent product display but reduced spoilage and longer shelf life.

Regalite, according to the manufacturer, is suitable for food packaging applications in the coffee and tea, confectionery, bakery and snacks as well as pasta and noodles sectors.