BOPE Is Emerging.

Over the past few years, BOPE (Two Way Stretch Polyethylene) has grown into a major potential competitor in recyclable packaging. As with the long-term trend of full-PE blow-molded film packaging (e.g. vertical packaging), the key reason for the selection of a single material, BOPE, is its own sustainability and circular economy. Nova Chemical is a leading company in BOPE development.

At K 2019, SABIC introduced a new LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) for the production of BOPE films. The relevant exhibits are BOPE self-contained bags made from this material. This bag can be used in the packaging of sweets and snacks, frozen or fresh dried fruits and vegetables, and personal care products. BOPE has very high mechanical properties, seal integrity and good print fitness. SABIC's new material also gives boPE films a controlled linear tearing direction, making packaging easy to open.

Recently, Nova has partnered with several organizations throughout the supply chain to develop single-material BOPE packaging. The area it aims at is the pull-frame process (tenter-frame process), an area where there is a strong demand for HD-BOPE (two-way stretching of high density polyethylene) to replace the multi-material packaging of BOPP (two-way stretch polypropylene) or BOPET (two-way stretching polyphenyl glycol)."

Nova says HD-BOPE packaging is easier to recycle, increases recycling rates for flexible packaging and helps brand owners deliver on their circular economy promises. Owen Lightbody, head of the company's high-performance film technology team, said that while BOPP has been a leader in bidirectional stretch films for decades, HD-BOPE is likely to become the industry standard for recyclable packaging in the coming years.

Optimised HDPE.

Nova's experts explain that the pull machine process for bidirectional stretching films is very demanding, and most of the equipment currently used are designed around PP, PET and PA (nylon). Although LLDPE is easy to stretch, the film it makes lacks the stiffness and heat resistance required in most high-performance applications, but HDPE achieves these properties, so Nova believes it is more suitable for BOPE films, although traditional HDPE lacks sufficient elasticity to stretch.

Now, Nova has developed an HDPE grade dedicated to the two-way stretchfilm process, improving the production of HD-BOPE films, which the company believes will revolutionize the creation of single-material packaging suitable for the circular economy.

Now, there are already two film designs that have attracted considerable interest in the market. The first is 100% HDPE printed reels, and the second is a sealing film. When used on a packaging line, the sealing film starts at a low starting temperature and does not stick to the drum in the puller line.

"We are seeing a strong interest in HD-BOPE in many regions of the world, and we expect these films to grow rapidly in the packaging space. In addition, because the orientation of LLDPE films has more performance advantages than conventional blow-molding and flow-extension films, we expect it to continue to grow over the next few years. With the soft packaging industry pursuing single-material packaging solutions, LLD-BOPE will be a good alternative to PP, BOPET and BOPA (two-way stretch nylon) in many applications. Lightbody said.