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Borstar - Nucleation Technology
Based on its proprietary Borstar® technology, Borealis has developed a nucleating approach resulting from its own research – Borstar® Nucleation Technology. The nucleating effect is obtained in the polymerisation reactor (in situ) during the manufacture of polypropylene (PP). This is in contrast to the standard approach of adding a nucleating agent during pelletisation.
Borstar Nucleation Technology has a number of advantages compared with conventional nucleation:
- stronger nucleation effect, resulting in higher crystallisation temperature, faster crystallisation process and fine spherulitic superstructure
- consistent and better dispersion of the nucleating agent
- inert and thereby no reaction with other additives such as colour master batches
- low taste and odour
- full compliance with food contact regulations
Borstar Nucleation Technology-based PP demonstrates benefits in a range of applications with the Borealis portfolio of high-performance PP homopolymers and heterophasic polymers for thin wall packaging, automotive, and sewage pipe segments.
The improved stiffness of these materials allows for lower wall thicknesses, enabling downgauging of the end product. Furthermore, this solution enables significant reduction in cycle time, helping moulding customers improve their resource efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint, adding value to the end product for brand owners.
For converters, Borstar Nucleation Technology enables more efficiency and sustainability in production through:
- increased stiffness without negatively affecting the drop impact resistance, thus enabling downgauging and thereby material savings
- up to a 10% reduction in energy consumption through the possibility of reducing the extruder temperature (depending on the equipment at the converter)
- 10-20% cycle time reduction (mainly through reduction of cooling time and easier demoulding due to faster crystallisation)
- limited impact of colouring on dimensional stability, allowing fast colour change during production without the need to change process parameters