SOCAR Polymer Launches New Polypropylene Grade

SOCAR Polymer has expanded its high-performance polypropylene resin portfolio by adding its first random copolymer pair (RCPs). These resins are designed to provide rigid packaging through thin-wall injection moulding (TWIM), among a number of other benefits. Azerbaijan-based SOCAR Polymer is currently marketing these materials to customers in Russia and other countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States. The company argues that these new RCP grades will qualitatively complete its PP product portfolio for the rigid packaging segment produced via thin-wall injection moulding.

Two new grades, RB 4545 MO (with melt flow index of 45) and RB 6545 MO (with melt flow index of 65). These viscosities make up most of the TWIM parts made from random copolymers; according to Milliken, its Millad® NX® 8000 nucleating agent family of products imparts most of the fundamental properties to the resins.

SOCAR Polymer began using Milliken additives following a recommendation by its licensor. During product development, the company decided to completely redesign the RCP grades intended for TWIM applications. The resin manufacturer redesigned its products and incorporated Millad NX 8000 into the formulation recipe. Milliken provided samples for development, and the two parties met at K 2019 trade fair in Düsseldorf to approve the plan to proceed. The purpose of these materials is to provide the best possible balance between processability, good mechanical and optical properties, as well as superior aesthetics and excellent safety of the final moulded products. The use of Milliken nucleating agent provides the resulting resins with excellent clarity and transparency, which allows high levels of recyclable PP to replace other plastic materials. Additionally, these grades modified with Millad NX 8000 can be processed at lower temperatures and with shorter cycle times, which means energy savings for the injection moulder. This independently verified low energy consumption enables brand owners to apply the UL Environmental Claim Validation label to injection moulded packaging made with these PP resins, further highlighting their sustainability commitments. These latest SOCAR Polymer PP grades also provide parts with an excellent balance between hardness and impact resistance, as well as good antistatic and mould release properties. Food contact approved, they do not use organic peroxides and comply with SOCAR Polymer's zero phthalate philosophy, meaning no phthalate-containing catalysts and chemicals are used at any stage of production. The excellent flowability of these grades makes them ideal for high-clarity TWIM packaging applications such as caps and closures, containers and household goods.