SOCAR Polymer has expanded its portfolio of high-performance PP resins with the addition of its first pair of random copolymers (RCPs). These resins are designed to yield rigid packaging via thin-wall injection molding (TWIM), along with a host of other benefits.
Having produced more than 25 different PP grades since the launch of the PP plant in July of 2018, SOCAR Polymer continues expanding its product portfolio.
During product development, SOCAR Polymer decided to completely redevelop its RCP grades intended for TWIM applications. The products were re-engineered and the Millad NX 8000 clarifier was introduced to their formulation recipe.
The two new grades are RB4545MO (with a melt flow index of 45) and RB6545MO (with a melt flow index of 65). Those viscosities account for the majority of TWIM items made from random copolymers.
The aim of these materials is to provide the best possible balance between processability, good mechanical and optical properties, along with high-end aesthetics and excellent safety of the final molded products. The use of the Milliken clarifier provides superb transparency and clarity to the resulting resins, which enables the replacement of other plastic materials with the highly recyclable PP.
RB4545MO and RB6545MO are ideal for production of clear rigid packaging for food. The main advantage of such clear packaging is that food producers will be able to demonstrate the contents of the packages to consumers, which is an important factor in advantageous presentation of the product resulting in higher sales.
Normally, polypropylene is not a fully transparent polymer. To reduce opacity and make PP clear, special additives are used in the polymer production process.
Additionally, these Millad NX 8000-modified grades can be processed at lower temperatures, and for shorter cycle times, which translates into energy savings for the injection molder. This independently verified lower energy usage allows brand owners to apply the UL Environmental Claim Validation label on injection molded packaging made with these PP resins, further emphasizing their sustainability commitment.
These latest SOCAR Polymer PP grades also yield parts with an excellent balance between stiffness (rigidity) and impact resistance, as well as with good antistatic and mold-release properties. They are food contact-approved, use no organic peroxides, and abide by SOCAR Polymer’s zero-phthalate philosophy, meaning that no catalysts and chemicals containing phthalate compounds are used at any stage of production.
The very good flowability of these grades make them ideal for high-transparency TWIM packaging applications such as caps and closures, containers and housewares.
SOCAR Polymer is currently marketing these materials to customers in Russia and other countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States.