Seeking a Specific Transparent Polymer Material Suitable For Manufacturing of Multilayer Heat-Shrinkable Films

A SpecialChem client is looking for a transparent and low odor material solution that will be used in one layer of a transparent multilayer polyolefin-based heat-shrinkable structure.
The material needs to be in the form of beads or pellets to ensure easy handling with standard co-extrusion equipment.

The SpecialChem client is a key and global leader in the production of specialty and functional films seeing good potential growth opportunities with heat-shrinkable films (multilayer solution).

Transparent heat-shrinkable film was a market historically dominated by PVC. However, due to environmental pressure, PVC tends to be replaced by other systems. To match the unique performances/cost ratio of PVC, the alternative solutions are mostly based on multilayer polyolefin based structures.

Our client has already substantial demand for such film structures and expects the demand to continue to grow in the future. For this reason, the company needs to find a supplier able to supply large quantities at medium term to first serve the US market.

The volumes needed by the SpecialChem client for this material can reach 1 to 5 Million pounds/year (500 to 2500 tons/year).

Based on its technical experience and on numerous trials, the company has developed a good understanding on the technical requirements of the raw material needed for the film structure.

To comply with end-use specifications and with manufacturing constraints, our client is looking for a material demonstrating the following critical features:

Film properties:

• Low Odor
• Clear and Transparent (generally obtained with amorphous materials)
• Medium strength after shrinkage (generally obtained with amorphous materials)

Processing constrains and properties:

• Processing temperature above 150°C
• Stretching/freezing temperature around 30°C (Glass Transition Temp around 28-38°C)
• Low Melt Index (around 0,8-1,9 at 190°C; 2.2 kg.)
• Ideally, the material needs to be compatible with polyolefins to minimize the use of tie layers.

• Any transparent copolymer compatible with polyolefins
• A copolymer of ethylene containing “High Tg” (glass transition temperature) monomer. (cyclic monomers, styrenics…).

and/or

• Iso- or Syndio- tactic copolymers

and/or

• Metallocene co-polyolefins

Formulated polymers or polymer blends complying with the above requirements could be considered.

The SpecialChem client is planning to run a first pilot trial by the end of 2012. The partner/supplier should be able to supply a minimum quantity of 1000 pounds (500 kg) short term.

The raw material must be commercially available short term

Buying the requested raw material