LyondellBasell Industries’ polybutene-1 (PB-1) (PB 0800) resin is being used as a carrier resin for a masterbatch which has set industry benchmarks in color, gloss and processing performance for a new line of high quality, colored polypropylene spunbond non-woven products.

Improved processability and colorability
Polish non-wovens producer Lenko SA selected the master batch, produced by FIMAS, Fagnano Olona, Italy, because of its outstanding ability to improve the processability of its non-wovens manufacturing lines and the colorability of the final product. Tests based on joint development work by FIMAS and LyondellBasell demonstrated that, compared to conventional solutions, polybutene-1 provided improved viscosity which enhanced the masterbatch’s pigment dispersion efficiency.

“The new masterbatch enables our customers to increase production line output by significantly reducing breakage and loss,” said Fulvio Malacarne, Research & Development Coordinator at FIMAS. ”Due to its outstanding viscosity, the material prevents the blocking of the spinnerets, leading to spin-pack longevity and reducing the time required for changing and cleaning operations.”

Compared to those based on other masterbatches, the non-wovens’ mechanical strength was also improved. “Trials demonstrated that our PB-1 resin outperformed alternative solutions in terms of tenacity and elongation of the final product,” said Gabriella Sartori, LyondellBasell’s Technical Segment Manager Textile.

According to Waldemar Urbaniak, Commercial Director of Lenko, “The excellent teamwork among non-wovens producer, masterbatch supplier and the global polyolefins leader resulted in excellent color quality and brilliance of the non-wovens, without sacrificing mechanical properties. LyondellBasell’s expertise extended beyond resin supply – they also served as a very effective problem-solver, enabling us to achieve unprecedented production and performance goals.”

Spunbond non-wovens are used by customers to produce a variety of applications in the agriculture, gardening, furniture, hygiene, medical, building and roofing industries.