Saudi petrochemicals giant Sabic (Riyadh; www.sabic.com) has broadened its range of stretch films to include what is claimed to be one of the first commercially available materials in Europe to combine PP and LLDPE. Developed for the beverage industry to help reduce transportation losses, the optically clear film’s high holding force, which brings increased load stability, makes it suitable for covering heavy loads to protect beverage products during storage and transit.

The company said the increased strength, clarity and reduced thickness of the material makes it suitable for cargo securing and load protection as a stretch film for pallets to ensure stabilisation of goods and protection against the elements. By combining the properties of PP and LLDPE, the improved mechanical properties of the film also offer opportunities for downgauging. The material, which is produced at Sabic’s Gelsenkirchen / Germany manufacturing facility, can also be employed in the construction industry to protect and stabilise weighty and awkward-shaped pallet loads, the company added.