NATPET
Saudi Arabian polypropylene (PP) producer NATPET will focus on enhancing converter productivity and end-product appeal in the rigid packaging sector at K 2013 in Hall 8a, Stand J10.
On show will be the new thermoforming grade H03TF and the injection moulding grades R25MLT and R40MLT. Visitors can experience these grades in action during the show with four machine manufacturers producing parts from the grades at their booths.
Thermoforming grade H03TF is said to combine high clarity and aesthetics with dimensional stability for thermoformed cups, trays and containers, both in shallow and deep drawn parts and covering a variety of thicknesses. Featuring Milliken’s nucleating additive Hyperform HPN-600ei, the PP allows shorter cycle times compared to conventional nucleated PP and increases the number of finished articles produced with minimum waste. The highly-transparent containers have no visual barrier to the content and display good stacking performance.
Hyperform HPN-600ei generates isotropic shrinkage control with a relatively high crystallization temperature to give H03TF stiffness/impact balance and strength that create stability and optimise control. This results in an extra steady production process and more consistent finished articles with a better top load bearing capability. It also has regrind stability and will not yellow even after multiple extrusions, claims NATPET. At K 2013, Amut (Hall 16, Stand D43) and Gabler (Hall 3, Stand D35) will produce thermoformed drinking cups using H03TF.
NATPET’s latest upgrades to its range of PP products use Milliken’s Millad NX 8000 clarifying agent. R25MLT and R40MLT are high-clarity PP grades for thin-walled packaging and injection moulded containers for the food and non-food markets. The use of Millad NX 8000 enables converters to achieve considerable energy and cost savings by processing the grades at lower temperatures and with shorter cycle times than similar products from the market, according to the group. Reduced energy consumption also means a lower carbon footprint, with carbon dioxide generation cut by a reported 8-12%.
The random copolymers deliver parts at a thickness of 1mm, where the haze value is 6% compared with 15-20% in grades containing conventional clarifiers when processed at low temperatures. Potential applications include transparent housewares, and differentiated packaging for cosmetic articles. At K 2013, FANUC will run applications based on Teldene R40MLT in Hall 15, Stand B25, and injection moulder, Dr. Boy will produce insulin pen caps made from Teldene R25MLT at Hall 13, Stand A43.