Horgen, Switzerland - October 12, 2005
Film converters can boost performance of products for their customers and can look forward to greatly improved proccesability and performance as two grades of VERSIFY™ Plastomers and Elastomers are launched by The Dow Chemical Company.
The versatile family of specialty propylene-ethylene copolymers now features VERSIFY 2300 for blown stretch hood applications and VERSIFY 3300 for use as a cast cling additive.
A novel catalyst technology, used with Dow's INSITE™ polymerization process, incorporates higher levels of ethylene in films and creates a unique molecular architecture which gives the polymers features and property combinations not previously seen.
VERSIFY 2300 generates the optimum performance balance for blown stretch hoods - designed to ensure the integrity of goods pallets.
It gives film excellent elasticity and good holding force and allows the film to better follow the contour of the packaged goods, improving stability for full pallet loads.
It delivers best-in-class tear resistance with considerably reduced wrinkling and 'ear' formations. There are fewer disposal issues for industry to deal with: at a like-for-like gauge with other availableproducts it allows for reduced packaging film weight. In addition, the fully ethylene / propylene structure delivers better recylability.
Film converters benefit from easier processability and processing consistency with no associated odour.
In addition to blown stretch hoods, VERSIFY 2300 is ideally suited to a wide range of calendering and extruded applications and as a blend component for thermoplastic elastomers.
VERSIFY 3300 can be used not only for stretch cling and elastic film but also as a blend component in thermoplastic elastomers and thermoplastic olefins. It is particularly well suited for cast stretch film sealants.
The grade generates higher unstretched film cling levels and can be used in blends at lower addition levels: typically 5-10% compared with the 30-40% needed with VLDPE.
It gives consistent perfomance and film can be efficiently run on wrapping machines in both hot and cold conditions. Cling tested after three months was found to have retained its characteristics. It also delivers lower noise levels.
"VERSIFY 2300 and 3300 offer an excellent balance between modulus and elasticity, outstanding tear and puncture resistance, good reliability and easier processing for film applications," said Dow's global business development manager for elastomers, Deepak Parikh.
"Customers participating in trials of these resins were very impressed with the significant performance improvements they delivered, so I am delighted that these grades are now commercially available worldwide.
"This wide range of benefits will deliver value to coverters and end-users alike"
About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
For more information about Dow's Plastics portfolio and VERSIFY Plastomers & Elastomers, please visit www.dow.com/plastics and www.dowversify.com respectively.
For Editorial Information:
Nancy Fullerton
The Dow Chemical Company
(989) 636-8190
Kulwant Steiger
The Dow Chemical Company
+ 41 44 728 2488
John Orme
Porter Novelli
+32 2 413 03 40
