Executives of technical plastics producer Ticona (HQ: D-60528 Frankfurt) are convinced that new applications rather than substitution will drive developments for the group´s new cycloolefin copolymer (COC) sold under the trade name “Topas”. Speaking at the dedication of Ticona´s first plant for the new class of polymer, a 30,000 t/y unit built at Oberhausen, Germany, at a cost of EUR 60m, chairman Edward Munoz said Topas is just one of a number of innovative new products Ticona will launch over the next several years. The new plastic to be priced at DM 6-18 according to grade and application will take its place alongside “core” Ticona products such as POM and UMHW-PE and “growth” products such as PET/PBT, LCP, PPS, LFRT and nylon 6.6, which also are to be expanded.

The Oberhausen COC plant is the first commercial facility of its type; the next largest, operated in Japan, produces only 3,000 t/y. The process developed and patented by Ticona predecessor Hoechst uses a metallocene catalyst to produce polymer from ethylene and norbornene. Because of Topas´ “interesting new combination of properties,” including optical clarity, “excellent” dielectric properties, biocompatibility, high moisture barrier and good heat resistance, the group believes it is predestined for medical, food packaging and optical applications, as well as toner binder resins for laser printers.

Topas already has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food contact, and Bayer is using it to produce blister packaging for its aspirin sold in tropical climates. Alongside blister packaging, where COC polymers could replace PVC for especially moisture-sensitive drugs, Topas business line director, Edward Brock, is enthusiastic about prospects for using the new polymer in drug delivery systems such as needle-free injection systems and discardable titre plates for genetic research, where they would replace quarz glass. Used as a blend with PP or PE, “only a few grams” of COC would be needed, saving research labs “a considerable amount of money.” Brock believes that if demand for Topas develops as well as Ticona expects, the 30,000 t/y plant could be sold out within four to five years.