ExxonMobil (Baytown, Texas / USA; www.exxonmobil.com) has introduced “Achieve Advanced PP6302E1”, a new foamable polypropylene homopolymer in a high-melt strength grade. This improves product stiffness by up to 30% compared to standard high-melt strength PP foam, for significant cost reduction opportunities.

The material is designed for use in high volume applications that can benefit from lightweighting while leveraging the properties of PP, such as thermal insulation, durability, toughness, resistance to heat, moisture and chemicals, sound dissipation and temperature stability. Target applications include food and beverage packaging, industrial packaging, building and construction products as well as automotive parts.

Achieve Advanced PP6302E1 is a viable alternative to polystyrene foam, PFAs, VOCs and monomers – which face increased regulation – and minimises tradeoff between processing and product properties. It can be processed on existing PS foam lines with varied blowing agents, reduces material use while delivering product integrity and is recyclable in communities where appropriate collection and recycling facilities exist.