The Glass Polymer™ from Eastman for thick wall co-extrusion blow molded bottles

Following the success of the Alexander McQueen application launched in 2003, The Glass Polymer™ from Eastman Chemical Company is used for co-extrusion blow molding of thick walled containers. The co-extrusion blow-molding process is used to form multi-layer containers with performance attributes that cannot be obtained with a single layer.

Director of Technology for Specialty Plastics at Eastman Robert Seymour explains: “The key benefit of The Glass Polymer in this process is that you can produce containers with significant advantages in terms of design freedom and aesthetics. Co-extrusion is a widely-used technology for both film and sheet applications and extrusion blow moulding. For instance, it is commonly used to provide high oxygen barrier or good moisture barrier properties for sensitive products in the food and beverage industry. But additionally, co-extrusion blow moulding can be used for decorative purposes. The Glass Polymer is a good material to base highly aesthetical bottles on because of its outstanding clarity and impact resistance, especially with the new grades launched in the recent past. The Glass Polymer offers a high gloss and exceptional light transmission - above 90 per cent – matching a pure look with a high quality feel, especially when the walls of the container are thick.”

The Glass Polymer has excellent chemical resistance, making it highly suited for both cosmetic and personal care applications. Moreover, the material combines strength and flexibility, so the package is resistant to impact, and will not fracture when dropped. This offers important safety benefits throughout the product’s life-span.

An example of application of the EBM Co-extrusion technology is shown in the added photograph. The company Rebhan, Stockheim, Germany developed a cosmetics bottle that includes a very thick water clear outside wall made from The Glass Polymer with a coloured inner layer that provides unique high aesthetics and feel for the consumer. The developed solution enhances the deep colour and obtains a special glass like effect with a glossy surface and can provide additional technical benefits such as improved barrier properties.

The Glass Polymer does not require any special equipment to produce this type of effect, which will be one of the directions to deliver properties needed in the cosmetic and personal care packaging industry.

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