US oil and petrochemical giant ExxonMobil (Houston, Texas; www.exxonmobilchemical.com) has developed HD7165L, a HDPE grade that enables converters to produce mono-material machine-direction oriented (MDO) PE flexible films. Set to replace multi-material laminate structures, the new grade is reportedly easier to recycle mechanically.

The material can be used to produce extruded MDO-PE blown films with 60-70% HDPE for enhanced stiffness and high heat resistance, as well as to produce laminated packaging for nuts, crackers, condiments, granola bars, and potato chips, the company said.

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The HD7165L grade offers MDO stretch ratios as high as 7:1 with very high stiffness. It offers excellent optical properties with haze less than 10% and gloss higher than 60%. Output rates in excess of 400 kg/hr are possible, the company added. Compared to a market reference grade, HD7165L delivers better shear thinning behavior and extrudability, higher melt strength for bubble stability, good orientability, and gauge uniformity, according to information from ExxonMobil.