Borealis launches BorLite innovation for flexible packaging

16.09.2010

BorLite and MDO offer the HDSS market same or higher film performance.

Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, gives flexible packaging converters a unique opportunity to gain a further competitive edge in efficiency, environmental and product performance with the launch of its BorLite™ linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) range.

BorLite sets new standards in the performance of Machine Direction Orientation (MDO) films. Based on Borealis’ proprietary Borstar® LLD bimodal technology, the range was developed specifically to optimise the enhanced film properties and production efficiency benefits created by MDO processing technology.

BorLite offers step-change downgauging, high impact strength, high puncture resistance, and good tear resistance in machine direction, in addition to lower operational costs and reductions in energy and CO2 emissions. It brings trouble-free, smooth operation to the MDO process, giving the flexibility for film performance properties to be tailored.

The BorLite range includes three grades to suit the needs of different applications : BorLite OPE792 , BorLite OPE795 and BorLite OPE797.

Trials in the heavy duty shipping sacks (HDSS) sector highlight the outstanding potential of the BorLite / MDO combination. Demanding performance specifications for HDSS films plus the industry’s concern regarding operational costs, has resulted in a move towards thinner, high performance film, with less material used in order to reduce expenditure.

Compared to existing market solutions, BorLite and MDO offer the HDSS market same or higher film performance, packaging process improvements, outstanding material reductions, and associated cost and environmental benefits. Advances include:

38% thickness reduction from 130 µm to 80µm
50% increase in impact strength
high line speeds with up to 2000 bags/hour achieved
high load security during transportation and storage
reduction of bag cost per unit
37% weight reduction
8% reduction in energy use to produce a unit bag for 25kg
130 tons of CO2 emission reduction per 1000 tons of goods packed

Besides the HDSS application Borealis sees a huge potential for MDO BorLite films in many advanced food and industrial packaging applications such as labels, sleeves, fresh food packaging and many other areas. The launch of BorLite is part of Borealis’ on-going commitment to support the development of advanced MDO packaging solutions. The tailor-made BorLite products complement Borealis’ extended polyolefin product range for advanced packaging. Application development know-how on MDO is supported by an industrial scale MDO line at Borealis’ Innovation Headquarters in Linz, Austria. In addition, customers have access to cost and benefit analysis to assist investment opportunity and project risk assessment, alongside scale up development support.

“Together with our Borstar bimodal technology, we recognised in MDO processing technology the high potential to tackle the efficiency, product performance trends and environmental needs and challenges facing the market,” comments Paulo Cavacas, Application Marketing Manager at Borealis. “We are convinced that the advantages of BorLite combined with the application know-how and tools we can offer at our Innovation Headquarters in Linz give a competitive edge to our customers.”

For further information please contact:

Lena Lehner
External Communications Manager
Vienna, Austria
+43 1 22 400 602
lena.lehner@borealisgroup.com

Borealis Business Unit Film & Fibre

Borealis’ film and fibre business specialises in supplying advanced polyolefin plastics for the manufacture of film, fibre, coating and thermoforming products. Through foresight and focus on our customers’ needs, Borealis provides innovative solutions that add real value throughout the value chain. With over 50 years of experience and pioneering solutions for the film and fibre industry, Borealis has established a leading position on the film and fibre market across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Borealis is a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions that create value for society. With sales of EUR 4.7 billion in 2009, customers in over 120 countries, and 5,200 employees worldwide, Borealis is owned 64% by the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of Abu Dhabi and 36% by OMV, the leading energy group in the European growth belt. Borealis is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and has production locations, innovation centres and customer service centres across Europe and the Americas. Through Borouge, a joint venture between Borealis and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), one of the world’s major oil companies, the company’s footprint reaches out to the Middle East, Asia Pacific, the Indian sub-continent and Africa. Established in 1998, Borouge employs approximately 1,400 people, has customers in more than 50 countries and its headquarters are in Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Singapore.

Building on the unique Borstar® technology and their experience in polyolefins for more than 50 years, Borealis and Borouge provide innovative, value creating plastics solutions for the infrastructure (pipe systems and power and communication cables), automotive and advanced packaging markets. In addition, Borealis offers a wide range of base chemicals from melamine and plant nutrients to phenol and acetone.

Today Borealis and Borouge have a manufacturing capacity of over4 million tonnes of polyolefins (polyethylene and polypropylene) per year. Borouge is currently tripling its polyolefins manufacturing capacity to 2 million tonnes per year (t/y) by mid-2010 and an additional 2.5 million t/y is scheduled for 2013. The companies continue to invest to ensure that their customers throughout the value chain, across the globe, can always rely on product quality, consistency and security of supply.

Borouge and Borealis are committed to the principles of Responsible Care® and proactively contribute to addressing the world’s water and sanitation challenges through their Water for the World™ initiative.

For more information visit:

Borealis: www.borealisgroup.com

Borouge: www.borouge.com

Water for the World: www.waterfortheworld.net

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