Total Petrochemicals and Refining USA (Houston, Texas / USA; www.totalpetrochemicalsrefiningusa.com) has introduced a new grade of HDPE – "9825E" – that has been specifically developed for shallow draw thermoformed packaging applications in the foodservice and food packaging industries.

The company said the grade delivers the stiffness needed in sheet extrusion thermoforming (SET) applications. This characteristic, said Total, provides the opportunity to lightweight while still maintaining the performance of rival HDPE grades, or also to make a product of equivalent weight but with improved performance. Other properties offered by 9825E include impact strength, chemical resistance and a low rate of water vapour transmission.

“Not only does 9825E provide improved rigidity and processability compared to other grades of HDPE used in thermoformed containers, it offers increased gloss for improved aesthetics,” said Ted Harris, marketing manager for Total’s Polymers Americas, adding that the grade also satisfies growing demand for materials that are widely accepted in recycling programs.

Applications that are well suited for 9825E include drinking cups, bowls, portion cups and yoghurt containers.