Carmel Olefins Ltd. will demonstrate its new polypropylene grade Capilene CT 80A throughout the K 2016 trade show in Düsseldorf, Germany, via a joint agreement with Hong Kong machinery maker L.K. Machinery International Ltd. and specialty chemicals supplier Milliken & Co.On its K show stand (Hall 13, Booth C43), L.K. Machinery will be running its new FORZA-III PT 450 two-platen injection molding machine to make 20-liter pails using that recently introduced resin. Capilene CT 80A is the first in a new series of specialty resins that Carmel is developing to enhance its existing portfolio of PP copolymers based on Milliken's clarifier technology Millad NX 8000.
Founded in 1979, L.K. Group designs, manufactures and sells not only plastic injection molding machines but also die-casting machines and CNC machines. L.K. says it now is one of the top five injection press makers in China. Its Forza-III series machines incorporate advanced injection, clamping and control functions, making them suitable for molding a wide variety of large components. The third-generation Forza press that will be making pails on its K booth is fully automated and includes an energy-saving function, with an 18-second cycle time that makes it ideal for in-mold labeling (IML) and packaging applications. L.K. launched the machine at Chinaplas in Shanghai earlier this year, and K will mark its European debut.
Meantime, the unique combination of aesthetic and mechanical properties of Carmel's new resin create a step forward for converters looking to reduce breakage potential and avoid stress whitening of highly transparent packaging and container solutions. It is ideal for thin-wall packaging, clear food-packaging containers, caps and closures, and clear pails, and also suitable for large storage boxes, crates, heavy-duty transparent toolboxes, appliances and toys.
Capilene CT 80A is a clarified and antistatic-modified PP grade with a melt flow rate (MFR) of 25. It combines the typical advantages of standard polypropylene random and heterophasic copolymers to achieve outstanding transparency with a good stiffness/impact balance, plus excellent organoleptic performance, high gloss and good resistance to stress whitening. Its ability to maintain such high transparency with good impact performance at 0°C is of particular significance for fridge storage applications.
Carmel Olefins has achieved these results with its new grade by working closely with Milliken, and incorporating Millad NX 8000, Milliken's latest-generation clarifier, into the mix. This collaboration ties in perfectly with Milliken's K show theme of "Making Polypropylene Clearer, Better, Faster. Together".
Millad NX 8000 allows processors using the new PP resin to reduce molding temperatures compared to resins made with previous-generation clarifiers. This in turn helps converters to better meet sustainability goals by reducing energy consumption and shortening cycle times. The lower molding temperature also shortens the cooling time of the part prior to ejection from the mold, further boosting productivity.
