NOVA Chemicals has developed high-density resin technology for the biaxially oriented polyethylene (BOPE) market. HD-BOPE is a transformative technology that enables the manufacture of all-polyethylene, recyclable multilayer film structures with significantly improved physical performance vs blown film. The technology is seen as ideal for use in food packaging, heavy duty sacks, e-commerce and other demanding applications.

HD-BOPE can help enable film manufacturers to realize fully recyclable PE mono-material structures without sacrificing stiffness and print clarity. Mono-material film structures are critical to achieving brand owner commitments to make all plastic packaging 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable.

HD-BOPE can help enable film manufacturers to realize fully recyclable PE mono-material structures.

Alan Schrob, consumer and industrial films group manager, NOVA Chemicals polyethylene business, said “Our HD-BOPE technology provides an additional building block for converters to make recyclable multilayer films that perform as well as traditional mixed-material structures.”

Biaxially oriented films are stretched in both the machine and transverse direction, resulting in films that have enhanced toughness, improved barrier performance, and exceptional optics. Film structures that use the technology are commonly laminates; HD-BOPE resins are designed for use in the print web and can then be laminated to a sealant film made with lower density polyethylene.

The finished film also has high stiffness which enables downgauging and improved processability in converting steps versus blown film alternatives, and low tear properties needed for easy-open packaging. Similar to films made from other biaxially-oriented technologies, BOPE films demonstrate good thickness uniformity and film flatness for high yield rates.

NOVA Chemicals has been working with Brückner Maschinenbau, the world’s leading stretching line manufacturer, to accelerate the development and commercialization of the technology. “We have been pleased with the performance of NOVA Chemicals’ products on our equipment and are getting positive feedback from the converters who are making film with it as well,” said Sebastian Ruhland, senior sales manager, Brückner Maschinenbau.

NOVA Chemicals has developed high-density resin technology for the biaxially oriented polyethylene (BOPE) market. HD-BOPE is a transformative technology that enables the manufacture of all-polyethylene, recyclable multilayer film structures with significantly improved physical performance vs blown film. The technology is seen as ideal for use in food packaging, heavy duty sacks, e-commerce and other demanding applications.

HD-BOPE can help enable film manufacturers to realize fully recyclable PE mono-material structures without sacrificing stiffness and print clarity. Mono-material film structures are critical to achieving brand owner commitments to make all plastic packaging 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable.

HD-BOPE can help enable film manufacturers to realize fully recyclable PE mono-material structures.

Alan Schrob, consumer and industrial films group manager, NOVA Chemicals polyethylene business, said “Our HD-BOPE technology provides an additional building block for converters to make recyclable multilayer films that perform as well as traditional mixed-material structures.”

Biaxially oriented films are stretched in both the machine and transverse direction, resulting in films that have enhanced toughness, improved barrier performance, and exceptional optics. Film structures that use the technology are commonly laminates; HD-BOPE resins are designed for use in the print web and can then be laminated to a sealant film made with lower density polyethylene.

The finished film also has high stiffness which enables downgauging and improved processability in converting steps versus blown film alternatives, and low tear properties needed for easy-open packaging. Similar to films made from other biaxially-oriented technologies, BOPE films demonstrate good thickness uniformity and film flatness for high yield rates.

NOVA Chemicals has been working with Brückner Maschinenbau, the world’s leading stretching line manufacturer, to accelerate the development and commercialization of the technology. “We have been pleased with the performance of NOVA Chemicals’ products on our equipment and are getting positive feedback from the converters who are making film with it as well,” said Sebastian Ruhland, senior sales manager, Brückner Maschinenbau.