Borealis (Vienna / Austria; www.borealisgroup.com) has introduced a new high stiffness polypropylene (PP) grade to support manufacturers of industrial pails in meeting their sustainability and product quality goals. A heterophasic copolymer, "Bormod BH381MO" uses Borealis Nucleation Technology (BNT) to achieve a balance of stiffness, flow and impact. The grade has a melt flow rate (MFR) of 35 that behaves like traditional MFR 45 grades, Borealis said, adding that its stiffness level of 1,700 MPa is more than 150 MPa higher than that of standard MFR 30 grades, but still has the same impact performance of softer grades. The higher stiffness performance is maintained in high temperature environments.

The combination of these characteristics allows not only for lower processing temperatures and lower injection pressure including the possibilty to fill more complex parts, it also supports easier de-moulding, Borealis said, adding that these properties enable converters to save on energy and costs. According to the Austrian company, further environmental advantages of "Bormod BH381MO" are the reduced cycle time (between 10-20%) with shorter cooling times, the possibilities for downgauging and weight reduction, the reduced carbon footprint as well as the good stacking and drop performance for finished pails of all sizes.