On yet another busy day at the LyondellBasell stand, PKN spoke to Andreas Anker, Senior Manager Marketing Communications about what's new in the packaging portfolio.
Anker said the company is developing materials in line with modern consumer tastes. Trends driving packaging design (and hence demand for materials) include increased convenience, longer shelf-life combined with freshness in taste, high visual shelf appeal, right portion size and an active effort to minimise food waste while reducing packaging materials.
"This creates a competitive and technically complex business environment, which requires material suppliers to come up with innovative, efficient solutions," Anker said. He noted that polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and Polybutene-1 (PB-1) resins from LyondellBasell are "preferred materials used by converters and selected by brand owners".
"There's strong growth in flexible packaging which offers the benefits of freedom of design, barrier properties, light weight and consumer convenience," he said.
The latest additions to the LyondellBasell PP film portfolio are Moplen grade EP310 HP and Adstif Grade HA3105, which are both produced using LyondellBasell's next generation catalyst systems that are favoured by customers in applications intended for food contact.
A giant pouch on the stand was touting Moplen's use for retortable applications. It offers high impact, puncture and tear resistance as well as high seal strength and integrity. The film viscosity achieved with Moplen EP310J offers good processability on cast, blown and BOPP lines.
