New HDPE grade designed for recyclability

Aug 31, 2023

ExxonMobil has developed a new HDPE grade specifically designed with machine direction oriented (MDO) PE film applications in mind. ExxonMobil HD7165L has been ‘designed for recyclability’ said the company, to help converters create recyclable mono-material laminates suitable for packaging products like nuts, crackers, condiments, granola bars, and potato chips.

With the development of this new film, the hard to recycle, multi-material laminate structures commonly used today will no longer be necessary, as it enables the creation of all-PE flexible film with good optical - less than ten percent haze, higher than 60 percent gloss - and mechanical properties. Used as a print web of a PE-PE laminate, HD7165L film offers high heat resistance, stiffness for a lack of extensibility, and excellent printability.

“The development of new HD7165L has been driven by market demand from brand owners and processors looking to develop all-PE packaging which, in turn, has created a need for print webs made of blown MDO-PE films,” said Nilesh Savargaonkar principal customer and application development engineer at ExxonMobilConverters can produce blown MDO-PE films with 60-70 percent HDPE for enhanced stiffness and high heat resistance compared to films with a lower percentage of HDPE incorporated.

High output rates in excess of 400kg/hr are possible, while bubble stability is maintained.High MDO stretch ratios as high as 7:1, with very high stiffness (1% secant modulus as high as >200 kpsi) can be achieved. In blown MDO-PE film applications, the film offers high, uniform orientation, gauge stability, and low gels for easy processability.

“Brand owners and the value chain globally have ambitious goals around the development of packaging that can be recycled,” said Justin Schmader, CANUSA market development manager. “Our ongoing innovation to develop new polyethylene grades that can help enable the creation of mono-material packaging structures is one step in helping them potentially achieve those goals.”

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