7 Jan 2013
Unipetrol RPA launches Mosten FT005 PP nucleated with Hyperform® HPN-600ei to up aesthetics and performance in thermoformed packaging
Litvinov, Czech Republic - Unipetrol RPA is passing on the clear benefits of collaboration to its packaging sector customers with a new low melt flow rate HPP grade based on Hyperform® HPN-600ei. The new development, Mosten FT005, significantly ups the aesthetics and processing performance of thermoformed rigid packaging, such as beverage cups, yoghurt pots and trays.
New Mosten FT005 is a bimodal polypropylene homopolymer (hPP) resin incorporating Milliken’s unique Hyperform HPN-600ei nucleating innovation with an antistatic agent. The grade brings significantly improved transparency and a glossy surface to end-products, leading to better aesthetic appeal. At the same time, its well-balanced processing properties ease parts production for converters.
Mosten FT005 is the result of intensive co-operation between Unipetrol, its R&D center Polymer Institute Brno (PIB) and Milliken. Following initial discussion and research of market needs, PIB provided technical support to Unipetrol throughout the development process. This included preparation of first laboratory samples and investigation of basic processing and mechanical properties. Milliken not only supplied its innovative additive, but also helped with resin evaluation during initial production of thermoformed parts.
Hyperform HPN-600ei nucleation technology improves transparency in polypropylene by enhancing the crystallization process, and it also creates an attractive ‘fresher’ look that is noticeable in both single and stacked parts produced with the grade.
On the processing side, the increased speed of crystallization induced by HPN-600ei, together with the bimodal nature of the Unipetrol PP, creates the potential to cut cycle time, raise productivity and reduce costs. An antistatic agent incorporated into the resin along with the Milliken additive eases the demolding of finished parts, which together with their improved dimensional stability and reduced tendency to warpage (thanks to isotropic shrinkage), leads to an overall improvement in product handling.
Austria-based converter Greiner Packaging, which has production operations in the Czech Republic, was brought into the project to trial Mosten FT005 on a production run for yoghurt pots. The success of this market innovation was proven through the notable improvement in transparency compared to competitive materials.
“It was important for Unipetrol and our researchers at PIB to involve Greiner early in the product testing stages, to ensure Mosten FT005 would achieve the results we were hoping for on actual thermoforming lines,” concludes Stanislav Jansky, PP Product Manager, Unipetrol RPA. “As a result of working closely with all of the project partners, we can proudly offer our thermoforming customers a new resin that really boosts the optical properties of rigid packaging applications beyond existing levels.”
“The clear improvement in transparency achieved with Mosten FT005 will enable converters to improve the optical properties of their packaging solutions and create new opportunities for brand owners to increase the exclusivity of their products,” comments Ivo Benda, Executive, Greiner Packaging Slusovice s.r.o.
Reader enquiries
Milliken & CompanyVeerle de Wolf
Ham 18-24
B-9000 GENT
Belgium
Notes for editors
About Unipetrol RPA
Unipetrol RPA is a leading Czech refinery, petrochemical and agrochemical raw materials producer, which is also reflected in the initial abbreviation “RPA”: refinery, petrochemistry, agrochemistry. The company supplies the market primarily with motor fuels, fuel oils, asphalts, liquefied petroleum products, oil hydrogenates, other refinery products, olefins, aromates, agrochemicals, carbon black, sorbents and polyolefins (high-density polyethylene and polypropylene).
The Polyolefins Unit of Unipetrol RPA is the most significant supplier of polyolefins in the Czech market. while having a unique position in Europe. Its production capacities represent five percent of the overall European production of HDPE and two percent of the European production of PP.
In cooperation with its research and development base in Polymer Institute Brno, the Polyolefins Unit also supports and participates in the modification of existing and new developmental polyolefin grades.
About Polymer Institute Brno (PIB)
Polymer Institute Brno, spol. s r.o (PIB), formerly known as the Research Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (RIMC), currently owned by Unipetrol RPA, s.r.o. and Unipetrol a.s., has long been the base of the applied research in the field of polymers.
Having a long tradition in Ziegler-Natta catalyst research and polymer stabilisation, the position of the Institute became quite clear-cut, particularly after the building of polyolefin production plants in Litvinov in the early seventies. Since then, activities have been focused mainly on polyolefin catalyst research, new resin grade development, post-reactor modification of polymers (reactive compounding, reactive extrusion, polymer alloys, fillers), new formulations of additives (stabilisers, colour concentrates, antistatics, etc.) and trouble-shooting.
The present funding of the Institute is based mainly on the revenues from contract research activities and small-scale production. Although the predominant volume of research contracts comes from the majority owner, the Institute is open to accepting projects from other domestic and foreign customers. The second important financial resource, i.e. small scale production, is oriented mostly at specialist areas in which the Institute has its own know-how (e.g. tailor-made additivation concentrates and colour masterbatches). The Institute has also been involved marginally in trade activities, and it offers services in the field of information retrieval and consulting.
About Greiner
As early as 1986, Greiner Packaging started a cooperation with an agricultural state combine in Moravia. Greiner Packaging Slušovice was established as a result of this cooperation, and since 1992 it has been integrated into the Greiner network. Greiner Packaging International is one of the leading companies in the European packaging industry. In 2011, the company achieved annual sales of EUR 446.6 million or more than one third of the total Greiner Group sales. Greiner Packaging International has a workforce of 3,103 employees at 32 sites.
About Milliken
Milliken is an innovation company that has been exploring, discovering, and creating ways to enhance people’s lives since 1865. Working from our laboratories, application and development centers around the world, our scientists and engineers create coatings, specialty chemicals, and advanced additive and colorant technologies that transform the way we experience products from automotive plastics to children's art supplies. With expertise across a breadth of disciplines that also includes floor covering and performance materials, the people of Milliken work every day to add true value to people’s lives, improve health and safety, and make this world more sustainable. For more information, visit www.millikenchemical.com or www.milliken.com.
Hyperform is a registered trademark of Milliken & Company
Milliken is a registered trademark of Milliken & Company
Related images
Editorial enquiries
Veerle de Wolf
Milliken & Company
Josina van der Velden
EMG