Borealis boosts extrusion coating industry with LDPE homopolymer

The CT7200, launched at the K Show in Dusseldorf, ensures the sustainable and long-term supply of material for the extrusion coating industry.

The homopolymer has high zero shear viscosity which contributes to sealing performance and improved flowability enhances the adhesion to substrates, even at lower processing temperatures.

Borealis said with the expected closure of some autoclave plants in the near future the product will help the extrusion coating industry find a new production platform to produce products that match the today’s autoclave LDPE offerings.

The high pressure tubular platform enables Borealis and joint venture partner (Borouge) to secure supply for the global extrusion coating market in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Target market​

CT7200 is aimed at applications involving high-volume extrusion coating of boards and papers, liquid packaging, extrusion coating and lamination of different substrates and co-extrusion in multi-structures.

Good optical properties and low gel level also enable use in flexible packaging applications, said Borealis.

Developed on their pilot line, it was screened and tested in collaboration with industry partners on both laboratory and industrial scales.

"The launch of CT7200 is another example of how Borealis and its partners can all benefit from working together to find new solutions to industry challenges​," said Russell Tew, Borealis advanced packaging and fibre marketing manager.

Brazilian expansion​

Borealis also revealed it was responding to rising demand for added-value products in growth markets with the expansion of a production facility in Itatiba, Brazil.

Borealis announced the €50m investment in the expansion of its Itatiba facility last year and construction is in progress on a production building including extruders, support silos and warehouse facilities.

The facility is scheduled to be fully on stream by the end of 2014 and its output will augment the current annual production in Brazil of 60 kt of polypropylene (PP) compounds.