Czech-based Unipetrol RPA teams up with Milliken on a new low melt-flow rate HPP grade for packagingCzech-based Unipetrol RPA teams up with Milliken on a new low melt-flow rate HPP grade for packaging
Unipetrol RPA, a Czech refinery, petrochemical and agrochemical raw materials producer, has launched a low melt-flow rate polypropylene homopolymer (hPP) grade based on Milliken's Hyperform HPN-600ei nucleating agent. The new development, Mosten FT005, is said to significantly up the aesthetics and processing performance of thermoformed rigid packaging, such as beverage cups and yogurt packaging, according to Unipetrol.
March 15, 2013
Unipetrol RPA, a Czech refinery, petrochemical and agrochemical raw materials producer, has launched a low melt-flow rate polypropylene homopolymer (hPP) grade based on Milliken's Hyperform HPN-600ei nucleating agent. The new development, Mosten FT005, is said to significantly up the aesthetics and processing performance of thermoformed rigid packaging, such as beverage cups and yogurt packaging, according to Unipetrol.
The new Mosten FT005 is a bimodal hPP resin incorporating Milliken's Hyperform HPN-600ei nucleating innovation with an antistatic agent. Unipetrol said the grade brings improved transparency and a glossy surface to end products, while also featuring well-balanced processing properties to ease parts production for converters.
Mosten FT005 is the result of a partnership 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 laboratory samples and investigation of basic processing and mechanical properties. Milliken 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, create 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), lead to an overall improvement in product handling.
Austria-based converter Greiner Packaging, which has production operations in the Czech Republic, trialed Mosten FT005 on a production run for yogurt packaging.
"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," said Stanislav Jansky, PP product manager for Unipetrol RPA, in the news release. "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."
Unipetrol RPA production capacities represent 5% of the overall European production of HDPE and 2% of the European production of PP.
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