Improved properties ensure SABIC® PP Flowpact range enjoys continued success

Shorter cycle times, lower energy costs, increased downgauging possibilities; the SABIC® PP Flowpact range of impact copolymers has proven a success in the market, with further extensions to the range foreseen for Q4 2010.

The SABIC® PP Flowpact range of polymers were designed to provide major benefits to converters, particularly in thin wall packaging. Foremost among these is the ability to make cost savings in terms of unit production costs and energy savings with further knock-on benefits for related environmental considerations.

SABIC designed the range specifically to improve conversion economics while also enhancing product design and performance. The most enthusiastic responses came from the high end food packaging sector. “It is definitely very appealing to special applications,” says International Account Manager Albert Walter. “The basic attraction is the way it converts.” Flowpact grades offer converters shorter cycle times and lower energy costs with the added possibility of material downgauging and enables convertors to process even very demanding thin walled parts much more consistently. In production, the plastics offer easy mold filling and demolding as well as good rigidity and antistatic properties.

Flowpact is a successful illustration of the SABIC polypropylene portfolio’s policy of creating high added value products that work alongside the core bulk materials. The idea is to create a broader range of high-performance products that meet specific needs, opening up the possibility of one-stop shopping for PP packaging customers.

The success has led to new products being planned. These include a new impact copolymer SABIC® PP Flowpact FPC 100 grade. “This new grade will boast all the core Flowpact properties such as improved cycle times and lower energy consumption,” explains Flowpact product champion, Diederik Goyvaerts, Technical Marketing Engineer. Commercial release is currently being finalized, and is foreseen in the last quarter of 2010.”