Germany’s Biesterfeld (Hamburg; www.biesterfeld.com) says it is now supplying the European market with “Oppera” brand hydrocarbon resins made by US energy and petrochemicals giant ExxonMobil (Irving, Texas; www.exxonmobil.com).

The German company said the modifiers are compatible with a wide range of hydrocarbon elastomers and are used in multiple applications, including the improvement of wet grip in tires, for tea and cosmetics wrapping, and in food packaging. It added that the modifiers can cut raw material consumption while extending shelf life and product freshness.

ExxonMobil said the products are used in the manufacturing of transparent or opaque films with added stiffness and barrier properties. They are said to enable the production of downgauged films, reducing raw material consumption while extending shelf life and product freshness, and they support sustainable PP film development.

The material’s compatibility with different formulators, lower compound viscosity for easier processing and the avoidance of softening of the end-product suit the modifiers for rubber applications, such as power transmission belts, conveyor belts and hoses, Biesterfeld said.