A first-of-its-kind polypropylene-based, high-clarity copolymer for potential use in extrusion and injection blow moulding applications is the latest addition to LyondellBasell’s innovative family of metallocene-based resins.
Produced using the company’s proprietary single-site catalyst, the Metocene RM2231 resin combines excellent transparency with the typical attributes of polypropylene-based copolymers, such as flowability, thermal and impact resistance and recyclability. ‘The Metocene RM2231 resin addresses cosmetics packaging requirements for glass-like clarity and gloss’, said Jean-Pierre Bideau, Application Development Manager for metallocene-based resins at LyondellBasell.

One of the highest-clarity polypropylene-based resins
One millimeter injection moulded plaques produced using Metocene RM2231 resins showed only four percent haze, exceeding the values of previous benchmarks which showed six to 10 percent haze. ‘Compared to competitive standard polypropylene, the new grade is currently one of the highest-clarity polypropylene-based materials available on the market’, added Bideau. With a high level of transparency and a melt-flow rate of 3.5 g/10minutes, the new Metocene resin can be considered as a replacement for amorphous, transparent polymers used in cosmetics applications, which are traditionally the domain of injection blow moulded PET. The grade also offers a low density that can translate into weight and material savings.

Metocene RM 2231 addresses cosmetics packaging requirements for glass-like clarity and gloss.