China-based Formosa Polypropylene (FPC) Ningbo has collaborated with Milliken to develop a new grade of polypropylene (PP) 5200XT using Milliken's Millad NX 8000K clarifier.
Produced at FPC Ningbo's facility in China, the 5200XT grade offers plastics processors improved appearance, consistency and quality, and additionally the potential to reduce costs and improve sustainability by reducing energy consumption up to 30%.
The new 5200XT resin has a melt flow index of 18, and food and storage containers as well as sport bottles that are molded from it are said to exhibit enhanced clarity and fresher appearance and no odor.
According to Milliken, the resin can be processed at lower temperatures. The cooler temperatures shorten cycle times and also minimize energy use and associated CO2 emissions.
Milliken marketing and business development head Lee said clarified PP using the company's Millad NX 8000K agent delivers cost savings and productivity benefits to plastics processors and enable them to reduce the environmental impact of their operations.
"At a macro level, Millad NX 8000K clarifier encourages broader use of PP - a low-density, easily recycled plastic - to replace less-sustainable resins in household and food packaging applications," Lee said.
