Elite* Enhanced Polyethylene Resins: The New Choice for High Performance, Cold Temperature, Food Packaging Applications, 1997 Polymers, Laminations & Coatings Conference Proceedings

ELITE* enhanced polyethylenes, produced with Dow’s INSITE* technology, have been designed to meet the demanding performance requirements of many food packaging applications such as poultry (non-shrink) and vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) packaging.

Traditionally, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), ultra-low density polyethylene (ULDPE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers have been blended or coextruded to meet the following performance requirements :

·abuse resistance at room and cold temperature,

·structural stability and stiffness for machinability in VFFS applications,

·low seal initiation temperature and good seal strength, and

·high hot tack strength.

Enhanced polyethylenes offer the package designer a new choice for both performance and cost reduction. This paper will demonstrate that this new family of polymers has excellent abuse resistance (at room and cold temperature) combined with high stiffness and good seal properties in comparison to traditional polymer choices. The exceptional performance of enhanced polyethylenes can lead to :

·downgauging (cost savings) without sacrificing properties,

·increased packaging speeds on VFFS equipment with fewer leakers, and

·simplification of packaging structures with possible consolidation of multiple polymer inventories.