Nova Chemicals develops HDPE resin for flexible pack shelf life enhancement

01 Jul 2021 --- Nova Chemicals is introducing a “next-generation” high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin for high moisture barrier performance in multilayer flexible packaging.

Branded Surpass HPs267-AB, the resin’s stiffness and heat resistance allows packaging engineers to design more recyclable polyethylene (PE) film structures, accelerating the plastics circular economy. 

“Several of our customers have trialed HPs267-AB and found significant improvements in barrier performance,” Eric Vignola, Nova Chemicals’ food packaging market manager, tells PackagingInsights. 

Improvements in processability and clarity have also been reported. These additional benefits can be used to downgauge packaging, improve run rates and enhance package aesthetics.The new resin makes monomaterial films possible.

“The barrier performance of HPs267-AB enables more packaging types to be redesigned with all-PE or PE-based recyclable film structures by replacing non-PE barrier materials.” 

Moreover, the resins can increase the shelf life of packaged meats, cheeses, cereals, crackers, baking staples and high-fat content foods.

Improved film performance
Compared to the company’s Surpass HPs167-AB resin, the new HPs267-AB delivers up to a 20 percent increase in water-vapor transmission performance in multilayer coextruded film structures.

“This product will not only help protect products better, longer and more effectively, it has the potential for creating more recyclable film structures,” says Anna Rajkovic, circular economy market manager at Nova Chemicals. HPs267-AB is currently available in commercial quantities.

“One of PE’s major advantages is it’s the only polymer that can be used to create monomaterial (all-PE) flexible packaging for a wide range of food products,” Vignola explains. 

“Monomaterial films are easiest to mechanically recycle. We are supporting brand owner packaging recyclability and recycled-content goals by working with film producers – and throughout the value chain – to design PE-based, recyclable film designs.”

In May, Nova Chemicals joined Closed Loop Partners Dow and LyondellBasell in launching the Closed Loop Circular Plastics Fund.

By Anni Schleicher