Oriented Polyethylene Films
Enabling the plastics circular economy with recyclable monomaterial packaging
Market demand for single-material packaging design (also known as monomaterial) has been an ongoing motivation in packaging development. Brand owners and retailers have sought monomaterial solutions because they create additional opportunities to produce high quality feedstock for recycling in conjunction with advancements in collection and infrastructure. One innovation worth watching is oriented polyethylene film technology, which offers new building blocks to meet this demand. Orientation can unlock all-polyethylene (PE) packages designed to meet the quality that consumers expect, while also meeting performance needs to extended shelf life and ensure the delivery of safe and fresh food.
Orientation of films allows for property improvements otherwise not attainable in blown or cast films such as stiffness, toughness and heat resistance. These enhancements provide the option for all-PE films to replace traditional mixed material packaging which are not recyclable. Oriented films are ideal for use in food packaging, heavy duty shipping sacks, e-commerce and other demanding applications.
Oriented all-PE films can be used in a wide range of formats including:
- Stand-up pouches
- Flow wrappers
- Pillow packs
- Metallized films
Orientation can be achieved using a variety of technologies. Machine direction orientation (MDO) stretches a cast or blown film in one direction while stretching a cast sheet in both machine and transverse directions results in a biaxially oriented (BO) film. NOVA Chemicals has developed BOPE-HD and MDO-HDPE resin technologies that may be used to replace biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) in multi-material laminates or metallized structures. MDO-LLDPE technology provides toughness like BOPA.
Please contact us to help you develop sustainable packaging solutions.
BOPE-HD Films
NOVA Chemicals has fulfilled the promise of developing all-PE films with the world’s first high density polyethylene (BOPE-HD) resin designed to run in the tenter frame process. SURPASS® TX150-A enables an all-PE biaxially oriented print web, which can be laminated to an all-polyethylene sealant web. This PE on PE structure meets brand demand for a package comprised of a single material due to its potential to produce high quality feedstock for recycling. Several film formulations have been successfully trialed on commercial, semi-commercial and pilot scale equipment. We have worked with film producers and equipment manufactures across multiple regions and are proud to have established a global supply of BOPE-HD films.
Technical Features/Benefits
- Proven processability on commercial tenter frame lines, including lines designed for BOPP
- Clear or matte finish options available
- Stable coefficient of friction (COF) and receptive to surface modification via corona treatment
- Sufficient heat resistance for packaging, metallization and coating processes
- High stiffness to maintain registration for printing and converting
- Easy open packaging
The successful development of NOVA Chemical’s BOPE-HD films is the direct result of collaboration with a global stretching line manufacturer, Brückner Maschinenbau, and a number of biax film manufacturers.
MDO-HDPE Films
NOVA Chemicals developed MDO films with 100% HDPE based on SURPASS HPs153-A. The films show exceptional stability due to broad orientation windows when produced on commercial scale inline MDO blown film equipment. MDO-HDPE films can be used to replace BOPP and BOPET to produce fully recyclable all-PE laminates with high stiffness, excellent heat resistance and outstanding optical properties.
Technical Features/Benefits
- High output rates and stable production due to ultra-clean resins designed for MDO applications
- Eye-catching esthetics due to very low haze and very high gloss
- Exceptional stiffness to maintain registration for printing and converting for applications like stand-up pouches and flow wraps
- Maximum heat resistance with minimal film shrinkage, ideal for packaging conversion, metallization and coating processes
MDO-LLDPE Films
MDO-LLDPE films are designed for superior toughness and puncture resistance. Market demand for lighter weight packages can be attained with thinner gauge MDO-LLDPE films by replacing thicker blown films thereby using less material for equivalent performance. These films can also be used in laminates to provide toughness in applications where the mixed materials that were traditionally used are no longer viable in the pursuit of a monomaterial package. MDO-LLDPE films were developed using the SURPASS SPsK919-F and SCLAIR® FP026-F resins for packaging sharp products, pet food and frozen foods.
Technical Features/Benefits
- High toughness allows for downgauged recyclable packaging
- High tear and puncture resistance
- Films with low haze and high gloss
Media Coverage
Sustainable Plastics
A lightbulb moment led to the development of a new material – how three companies came together to make that happen
Plastics Technology
Nova’s new biaxially oriented HDPE is seen as a more easily recyclable monomaterial contender versus multilayer BOPP or BOPET films.
Packaging Digest
Nova Chemicals’ Biaxially Oriented PE Film Technology Achieves Milestone in Recyclability
Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn how Oriented PE Films can be incorporated into your existing portfolio.
