Maximize Savings using Catalysts that Enhance Polyethylene Resin Production in Film Manufacturing

Boosting Polyethylene Film Production with ActivCat^® Catalyst

In any manufacturing process, the cost of raw materials can be a major expense, and plant managers are always looking for ways to lower the cost of making the finished product. For polyethylene film manufacturers, the primary raw material is resin, tailored for specific applications ranging from thin food-grade wraps to robust industrial cargo coverings. Maintaining quality while minimizing resin usage is a critical objective.

For manufacturers of polyethylene film, the primary raw material is resin that has been formulated for a specific type of application, whether the very thin food-grade wrap used to cover containers in the kitchen, or the thick, heavy material used to wrap industrial cargo for shipment. A film manufacturer carefully monitors the amount of resin used for a specific product, working to maintain quality at the lowest possible cost.

Scientists at Grace have created a catalyst that enhances the strength of polyethylene, enabling manufacturers to down-gauge the thickness of film by up to 20% without compromising its strength and durability. This reduction in thickness means that less resin is required to produce the same amount of film, leading to significant cost savings on raw materials. ActivCat^® catalyst offers savings from the reduced resin usage and lower catalyst consumption, resulting in a positive financial impact for manufacturers.

When ActivCat^® catalyst is introduced into a chemical process, it helps change the reactions that produce polyethylene:

• The ActivCat^® catalyst makes chemical processes inside the reactor happen faster and more efficiently. 
• The catalyst helps in the polymerization process, where small molecules called monomers join together to form long chains called polymers, the basic process of making plastics. ActivCat^® catalyst connects these monomers in a very controlled fashion and produces high-performance polymer resins.
• ActivCat^® catalyst is highly efficient, allowing a manufacturer to use less material to produce the same amount of plastic, which reduces waste and costs.
• The catalyst improves the quality of the plastic, making it stronger and more durable.

In essence, ActivCat^® catalyst makes the production of plastics quicker, cheaper, and results in better-quality products.

Using ActivCat^® catalyst in polyethylene resins manufacturing improves the quality of the resin, allowing film producers to down-gauge the thickness of the finished products with no loss in quality or strength.