Borealis aims to enable design for recycling with new PE technology

Borealis has introduced its innovative Borstar Nextension Polyethylene (PE) platform, designed to provide exceptional toughness, sealing performance, and improved processability for packaging solutions. This advancement facilitates downgauging, enhances cost efficiency, and promotes design for recycling. The company emphasizes that this new technology supports mono-material solutions capable of replacing current multi-material products, simplifying sorting and recycling at the end of their life cycle. This initiative aligns with the recycling and waste reduction goals outlined in the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

Source: PackagingEurope

Borealis presents its Borstar Nextension PE technology with two high-performance development materials. The first solution is reported to offer “double the toughness” of first-generation metallocene PE materials while preserving stiffness and excellent processability, including outstanding bubble stability and throughput. It is also designed to enable fully recyclable packaging, making it ideal for form, fill, and seal (FFS) applications as well as frozen food packaging.

The second solution boasts a sealing profile that reportedly lowers the sealing initiation temperature by over 15% compared to first-generation metallocene PE. Paired with the material’s mechanical properties, this solution is said to facilitate faster packaging speeds and achieve “best-in-class” hot tack performance, making it suitable for lamination, FFS, and food packaging.

In addition, the company recently announced that its new compounding line for recyclate-based polyolefins is now fully operational. This advancement allows customers to co-develop and test the integration of recycled plastics into their operations. The line is engineered to process a variety of recyclate flakes, meeting the stringent standards required across consumer products, appliances, mobility, and energy sectors.

In related news, NOVA Chemicals has launched its polyethylene (PE) resins that incorporate non-fluorinated polymer processing aids (NF-PPA). These resins are said to deliver performance comparable to traditional fluoropolymer PPA technology while assisting manufacturers in achieving global regulatory compliance with minimal disruption to production. Additionally, the PPA is compatible with existing resin formulations, allowing for the creation of high-quality film structures that are free from fluoropolymers.