Claiming a breakthrough in food packing film, Borealis said its Borpact BC918CF can reduce damage to packaging due to handling or storage. BC918CF also allows companies to downgauge the film compared to standard block copolymers, resulting in material and cost savings of up to 20 per cent, the company claimed. It is the first polypropylene (PP) heterophasic copolymer packaging film grade to offer ductility together with transparency, the company claimed. It can be used to create new types of pouches, label and lidding films, Borealis stated. "The grade is characterised by unique stiffness, heat and impact resistance combined with high gloss and low haze," Borealis said. "This provides the high clarity of PP homopolymers together with the tough, non-brittle performance of heterophasic copolymers." Such qualities are particularly important for items stored at low temperatures, such as thermoformed modified atmospheric packaging (MAP) trays for fruit and other chilled food. "Its balance of easy tear, stiffness and good aesthetics make the new grade ideal for retortable stand-up pouches, label films and carrier films for peelable lidding films," the company stated. Borpact BC918CF's toughness also prevents brittleness on blown film lines, Borealis stated. Borpact BC918CF is based on Borealis' Borstar technology, a process the company says allows it to tailor the molecules of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) to the exact needs of a customer.
