Dow Chemical's (Midland, Michigan / USA; www.dow.com) Packaging and Specialty Plastics division launched a new type of tenter frame biaxially oriented polyethylene (TF-BOPE) at the "ProPack China 2017" trade fair. Compared to conventional PE films, TF-BOPE is said to offer better properties with respect to mechanics, strength, optics and imprinting. These include up to 80% less haze, double the impact strength and tensile modulus, triple the puncture resistance as well as excellent crack resistance even at low temperatures.

The company is currently working with Chinese companies Guangdong Decro Film New Materials (Foshan, Guangdong; www.boppcn.com) and the Kaida Group (Quanzhou, Fujian; www.kaidapack.com) on the commercial use of TF-BOPE film in liquid detergent bags, which are normally produced from a PET/BOPA composite. TF-BOPE can replace the BOPA component. According to Dow, this would reduce the film thickness. After its introduction in Asia, the new material will soon be available globally.