Technology/Machinery at K2016 Materials • Riyadh-headquartered Sabic’s focus will be solutions to minimise food wastage, reduce weight and lower carbon footprint of packaging materials. Thus, it will showcase new high-flow PP Flowpact products for thinwall food packaging where a good balance of high stiffness and high flow is required; and LDPE film grade for thin-gauge packaging. New advanced fivelayer barrier film structures for meat packaging include LLDPE 218BE with improved draw ability and fewer deposits. A new range SABIC continues to of PP copolymer cast take a pro-active role films offer extra protection in the industry by with high puncture and improving the purity, organoleptic properties tear resistance, sealability, and cleanliness of resins eye-catching optics, and used in PET and food compliance with food packaging regulations. Another highlight will be a line of renewably sourced PE and PP resins based on waste fats and oils. • Topas Advanced Polymers will focus on the expanded adoption of cyclic olefin copolymers (COC) in healthcare, packaging, optics, and electronics. In addition, Topas COC has been identified as an alternative to Barex polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in pharmaceutical packages such as medicinal pouches and patches that require strong chemical resistance and adsorption. • US-based ExxonMobil will showcase its expanded Exceed XP high-performance PE resins launched in April at Chinaplas in Shanghai, China. It will also display the recently introduced Enable 40-02 mPE for compression packaging and geomembranes, as well as a range of low viscosity Vistamaxx performance polymers for home and consumer products and other applications. • Dutch firm DSM Engineering Plastics will launch ForTi MX polyphthalamides (PPAs) based on nylon 4T, said to be cost-effective alternatives to die-cast metals. The grades feature improved mechanical strength and toughness across a broad range of temperatures. Available with 30-50% glass fibre, MX grades are targeted for structurally loaded parts such as housings, covers, and brackets in automotive powertrain, air and fuel systems, and chassis and suspension, as well as industrial pumps, valves, actuators, home appliances, and fasteners.
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With the market for die cast replacement growing at close to 10% per year, DSM believes that its ForTii MX will ensure that high growth continues
• Germany’s BASF will showcase its Ultramid Advanced N portfolio comprising unreinforced PPAs and compounds reinforced with short/long-glass fibres. Said to exceed the properties of conventional PPAs with consistent mechanicals up to 100°C, glasstransition temperature of 125°C, chemical resistance, low water absorption, and low friction and wear, the products are suitable for small connectors and function-integrating housings in white goods, consumer electronics, and mobile devices. Other target markets are automotive components and structural parts near the engine and gearbox in contact with hot, aggressive media and different fuels. • Germany-based Lanxess will debut a new generation of Durethan PA6, BKV 30 XF (XtremeFlow), as a successor to Durethan DP BKV 30 XF. It is 30% glass fibrereinforced and is said to be more than 17% easier flowing, targeted at Lanxess’s Durethan PA6 is mounts and brackets used for the oil pan module in vehicles. Also new are for the new six-cylinder three PA6 compounds boxer engines of the reinforced with 30% glass Porsche 911 Carrera fibres and microbeads: Durethan BG 30 X XF, BG 30 X H2.0 XF, and BG 30 X H3.0 XF. The H3.0 thermal stabilisation compound has a low copper and halide content and is customised for natural and lightly coloured applications in electrical/electronics parts such as plugs, plug connectors, and fuse boxes, while the H2.0 version is for black components that are subjected to higher heat loads. • Another firm introducing new nylon grades is US-based Ascend Performance Materials. The PA66