SABIC has introduced specialised medium density (MD) LDPE film grades suitable for applications requiring high clarity and stiffness, such as collation shrink films. They are being produced at the company's facility in Wilton, UK.
The new LDPE 2801TH00W resin is said to feature high purity and superior optical properties, as well as excellent machinability and cutting/punching performance. SABIC's first MD LDPE grade, it will be followed by a planned series in the 928 to 935 g/cm3 density range.
Ben Raven, SABIC technical marketing engineer, comments: "Because the materials are relatively stiff, they enable very thin gauges that reduce overall resource usage, which also results in less waste." He says customer trials especially noted the product's superior optical properties.
"The resin converts very easily under normal processing conditions, yet delivers an outstanding combination of gloss and transparency, definitely exceeding other resins used for the same application."
The other types of MD LDPE film planned for Teesside will target the packaging of products including hand tissues, feminine hygiene products and high clarity tissue overwraps, as well as automatic packaging films (lamination, pouches, mailing).
