SABIC to Launch High Performing HDPE Healthcare grade for Large Containers at Innopack 2012

In close cooperation with Mauser, a well-known supplier of blow moulded industrial packaging solutions, a grade of high density polyethylene (HDPE) intended to meet the demands typically required of large containers used in healthcare applications has been developed by SABIC. SABIC® HDPE PCG4906 specifications may be applicable for such products as jerry cans, open-head and tight-head drums, and Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs), as well as for blow moulded bottles.

The relevant European and American pharmacopeia requirements are met by
SABIC® HDPE PCG4906. Furthermore, it has the physical and mechanical properties required by customers for the production of containers with volumes up to 1000 litres.

The first drums produced by Mauser in the new grade meet requirements based on UN recommendations covering transport of dangerous goods. Procedures involve stacking, drop tests at -18°C, and hydraulic internal pressure tests.

The cooperation between the two companies started three years ago when they first joined forces to develop a new generation of HDPE for L-ring drums which set new standards in processing performance and system cost reduction. This led to the introduction of SABIC® HDPE ICP5602.

“Our experience in cooperating with SABIC on the development of the high-performance
SABIC® HDPE ICP 5602 gave us confidence that together we could come up with a new grade that meets even tougher requirements,” says Klaus Peter Schmidt, Head of Global Product Development at Mauser. “We are confident that SABIC® HDPE PCG4906 will meet an important need in the healthcare market. With our new multilayer L-Ring drum produced from this new SABIC grade we are not only targeting healthcare but also other industries with high demands in regard to packaging material cleanliness, regulatory conformity and last but not least long term supply security. We are looking forward to expanding our business in this area.”

“Working with Mauser, we have been able to develop a grade that has the right balance of density, melt flow, impact strength and environmental stress crack resistance [ESCR],” says Ton Sevriens, Business Development Manager HDPE, SABIC, region Europe.
“Mauser shared with us their substantial knowledge in the production of large containers, steering us in the right direction so that we could fine-tune our own material production process accordingly.”

SABIC® HDPE PCG4906 has a melt flow rate of 6 g/10 min (190°C, 21.6 kg), a notched Izod impact strength of 17 kJ/m2 at -30°C, and an ESCR of 30 MPa (Strain Hardening).

Sevriens says that SABIC aims to be the preferred company that offers customers a grade designed for large containers that also meets the high requirements demanded by healthcare specifiers. “Several grades already exist in the market for industrial applications, but this is the only one especially dedicated to pharma applications,” he says. “We expect this development to establish SABIC as the key supplier for big container resins for the pharma market.”

“With the new grade, SABIC is expanding its portfolio of healthcare thermoplastics to cover all types of packaging used in the sector,” says Hery Randrianantoandro, Business Development Manager Healthcare, SABIC, region Europe. “Mauser was very receptive to the idea of collaborating on the project, they share our vision for developing the blown container market.”

The rigid part of the drum’s sealing cap is also made of the new SABIC® HDPE PCG4906. The sealing ring moreover is produced with SABIC® LDPE PCG02, which offers flexibility during seal assembling in combination with a high level of purity. SABIC already has healthcare grades of HDPE designed for production of smaller blow moulded and injection moulded containers. These grades, which carry the PCG classification, offer good processing behaviour and stability, as well as a good stiffness/ESCR balance.

eSeminar: SABIC Polymers’ Portfolio for the Healthcare Industry Tuesday October 23rd at 10.00 CET. SABIC offers learning experiences through eSeminars. We cordially invite you to register for our upcoming Healthcare eSeminar Tuesday October 23rd at 10.00 CET and learn more about our broad SABIC® PCG portfolio.

During the webinar, Hery Randrianantoandro, Business Development Manager Healthcare, SABIC, region Europe and Irving Paz-Chagoya, Technical Marketing Engineer SABIC region Europe, will give insight into our current offering and latest developments in our polymers healthcare portfolio, developed specifically for the industry, reflecting our customer-driven focus and our commitment to develop high-performing materials.

Please visit sabic.com for more information on the eSeminar and registration.

Notes to Editors

• * Trademark of SABIC Petrochemicals B.V.
• SABIC is a registered trademark of SABIC Holding Europe B.V.
• High-resolution photos are available upon request

About SABIC

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) ranks among the world’s top petrochemical companies. The company is among the world’s market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers.

SABIC recorded a net profit of SR 29.24 billion (US$ 7.80 billion) in 2011. Sales revenues for 2011 totaled SR 189.90 billion (US$ 50.64 billion). Total assets stood at SR 332.78 billion (US$ 88.74 billion) at the end of 2011.

SABIC’s businesses are grouped into Chemicals, Polymers, Performance Chemicals, Fertilizers, Metals and Innovative Plastics. SABIC has significant research resources with 16 dedicated Technology & Innovation facilities in Saudi Arabia, the USA, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, India and South Korea. The company operates in more than 40 countries across the world with around 40,000 employees worldwide.

SABIC manufactures on a global scale in Saudi Arabia, the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Headquartered in Riyadh, SABIC was founded in 1976 when the Saudi Arabian Government decided to use the hydrocarbon gases associated with its oil production as the principal feedstock for production of chemicals, polymers and fertilizers. The Saudi Arabian Government owns 70 percent of SABIC shares with the remaining 30 percent held by private investors in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

About MAUSER Group

MAUSER Group is a worldwide leading producer of industrial packaging with approx. 4,000 employees and consolidated revenue of some EUR 1 billion. Founded in 1896 and headquartered in Bruehl near Cologne (Germany), the company has influenced the international market through innovative packaging technologies. The portfolio for customers in the chemical, agrochemical, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical sectors as well as in the food and beverage industries includes plastic packaging, fiber drums, steel drums, Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC), and reconditioning services through the National Container Group (NCG), a MAUSER subsidiary. MAUSER therewith provides sustainability-oriented full cycle services – from production to recycling (“ECO-CYCLE”). With 60 MAUSER/NCG sites and multiple Joint Ventures in Europe, the Americas and Asia plus two licensee networks for plastic and steel packaging, the company is a presence around the globe. Please visit www.mausergroup.com for more information.

Marketing Solutions
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This release was published on openPR.