Total has reached a new milestone in its innovation path for polypropylene (PP), and is now able to offer a complete range of polymers using non-phthalate catalysts.The company's pioneering approach covers all conversion technologies and has led to the development of dozens of grades of homopolymers, random copolymers, and - most challenging of all - impact copolymers. Grades have been developed to meet existing specifications.
Working in close cooperation with industry partners, Total has identified numerous segments that could benefit from an extension of its offering of non-phthalate catalyzed PP, mainly in packaging, flexible and rigid, healthcare and personal care applications, including the medical market. This is why several years ago an ambitious development program was launched to provide a full range of PP produced with such catalysts.
"We have upgraded our offering for our partners in packaging, health and personal care markets, and beyond." says Jean-François Renglet, Vice President Polymers Europe. "This is a perfect example of our full commitment to create the best solutions for our customers. It is the culmination of an evolution in our PP portfolio that started several years ago."
Total now markets non-phthalate catalyzed PP solutions to produce trays, boxes, pails, caps, bottles among other. Film converters using BOPP, cast and blown technologies, for instance, are prescribing the new grades from Total for a wide range of food packaging applications.
In the early 2000's, Total started to implement non-phthalate catalyzed PP by launching Lumicene, a family of PP grades based on proprietary metallocene catalyst technology. The first grades were homopolymers designed for the hygiene market. They provide potential for substantial down-gauging in non-wovens, as well as higher processing rates and lower fume generation during their production. In the mid-2000s, Total launched a series of fiber grades based on non-phthalate Ziegler-Natta catalysts, completing the company's product offering to meet all aspects of hygiene market requirements. In 2006, Total had a world premiere when, in response to calls from brand owners for improved organoleptic properties, the company introduced random PP copolymer grades for the food packaging market based on non-phthalate Ziegler-Natta catalysts. In 2010, Total pushed the boundaries back even further when it unveiled a revolutionary new generation of random copolymers, this time based on its proprietary metallocene technology. These grades were in response to the toughest challenges of the packaging market. They are still best-in-class for organoleptic properties and their ultra-low levels of extractables. They pass the most severe migration test in the European Regulation 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. Moreover, the dedicated grades comply with the European pharmacopeia.
These random copolymers also offer cost saving opportunities, with excellent processing characteristics that allow for downgauging. Their unmatched aesthetic properties are appreciated for cosmetic applications and for highly transparent and glossy packaging in general.
Producers of food packaging, houseware and kitchenware, caps and closures and baby bottles can all benefit from the Lumicene Random product range.
