Dow Launches Innovative TF-BOPE to Meet Commercial Mass Production Requirements
SHANGHAI, July 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dow's Packaging and Specialty Plastics (P&SP), a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) launches tenter frame biaxially oriented polyethylene (TF-BOPE) at ProPack China 2017: an innovative and revolutionary addition to the INNATE™ Precision Packaging Resin family. Compared to the traditional polyethylene (PE) film, TF-BOPE film has higher mechanical properties and material rigidity, better optical and printing performance. Through collaboration with North American Material Science group, P&SP's Research & Development (R&D) team in Asia Pacific came up with this breakthrough solution based on research on the packaging markets' requirements, both locally and globally.
"For the past decade, our regional R&D team has engaged in intensive research and made headways into the future trends of packaging market. We have gained insights into the challenges and finally developed this revolutionary product which breaks through the limits of traditional PE products," said Wu Chang, Asia Pacific director for Technical Services and Development (TS&D), Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics, "The launch of this innovative product showcases Dow's futuristic and cutting-edge insights, as well as our strong R&D capacity."
With Dow's exclusive technology, the TF-BOPE film is developed to demonstrate excellent optical properties such as transparency and glossiness. Compared to traditional PE products, TF-BOPE can achieve up to 80% less haze, twice the impact strength, thrice the puncture resistance, thrice the tensile strength, and twice the tensile modulus. TF-BOPE material has excellent flex cracking resistance which sustains great tenacity even under low temperature. All of these qualities represents a big leap from the performance of the traditional PE product.
A Safer, More Environment-friendly, More Sustainable Packaging Solution
This new material has excellent mechanical properties which can reduce film thickness by replacing BOPA (biaxially oriented polyamide) and other polymers in abuse layers for packaging.
With the excellent optical performance and print ability, the TF-BOPE film can be used directly as the printed layer of the packaging. By combining it with other PE functional layers, TF-BOPE can achieve a packaging with ALL PE structure, making it more convenient for recycling and increasing the sustainability quotient.
The TF-BOPE film is easy to tear, an important requirement for packaging products, thereby increasing the convenience in usage.
Dow is currently in collaboration with Guangdong Decro Film New Materials Co., Ltd and KAIDA Group for the commercialized production of the TF-BOPE film used in liquid washing bag. The traditional liquid detergent bag uses polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and BOPA packaging materials. The new TF-BOPE film will replace BOPA as the interlayers of the packaging, reducing the packaging material used and strengthening the mechanical performance of packaging bags. Dow is also cooperating with other market players to promote the use of TF-BOPE film for rice bags, pet food bags, heavy bags and other packaging requirements.
"To date, this new product has been launched in Asia. The subsequent global release will follow," added Kodak Xiao, Asia Pacific marketing director for Food & Specialty Packaging, Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics, "The requirements on safety, eco-friendliness, and physical properties of plastic films in the packaging industry will be higher. As one of the leading materials solutions providers to the packaging industry, Dow hopes to collaborate with key stakeholders across the value chain to promote innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, and promote the healthy and dynamic development of the industry."
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