New polyethylene resin sets flexible packing benchmarks

The Lupolen GX 4081 resin has a “unique combination of stiffness and toughness that offers significant downgauging potential – up to double digits – for numerous flexible packaging applications,” ​said the company. A LyondellBasell spokesman told FoodProductionDaily.com that the lightweighting potential was in excess of 10 per cent but declined to give a specific figure.

The firm said the resin is produced using its Spherilene gas phase process technology that employs a unique catalysis system and has a melt flow rate of 1.4 g/10min and a density of 0.935 g/cm³. Tests have shown that films produced with Lupolen​GX 4081 resins can achieve a dart drop impact of 330 grams, measured on 50µm film, it added.

Benchmark​

Roland Andernach, the company’s technical service and application development manager said: “This high level of toughness represents a new benchmark in performance for medium density PE used in film applications”​

He said the new resin had demonstrated smooth processability and a broad processing window on LyondellBasell’s blown film processing line and could be blended easily with standard LDPEs.

Mechanical test had also shown that film produced from Lupolen GX 4081 resin achieved balanced mechanical properties in machine and cross direction, as well as having enhanced optical characteristics.

“Our customers can take further advantage of improved optical properties,” ​said Andernach. “According to our tests of film made on our blown film extrusion line, the haze value could be reduced by about half compared to conventional MDPE film resins.”​

Processability​

Film produced using the resin boast a low coefficient of friction (CoF), offering easy processability on film conversion equipment without the need for slipping and anti-blocking agents. The new grade also exhibits good bubble stability and a low gel level, said a company statement.

LyondellBasell said Lupolen GX 4081 resins will be produced on a commercial scale at its European Spherilene​processing plants.