Polyolefins producer Basell (Hoofddorp / The Netherlands; www.basell.com) has developed two "Hostalen" film grades boasting what it describes as excellent toughness and processing properties. The "ACP 9240 Plus" grade can be used for the production of blown films and combines a high stiffness with an ultrahigh puncture resistance, which the manufacturer claims is almost twice as high as the comparable grade to date. "ACP 9255 Plus" has twice the melt viscosity of 9240 Plus. Both incorporate an antioxidant, can achieve high stretching levels and have a low gel content.

At the same time, the group is bringing onto the market two high-purity "Purell" grades for extrusion and injection moulding applications in the pharmaceutical and beverage industries. The materials are marketed by distributor and compounder Ultrapolymers (Augsburg / Germany; www.ultrapolymers.com), among other companies.