SABIC® LDPE UMS pushes the limits in performance, cost-efficiency and sustainability for PE foam applications

Sittard, the Netherlands – November 2, 2010 – SABIC – a leading player in the global plastics industry – today launched its new foam line, SABIC® LDPE Ultra Melt Strength (UMS), at the K2010 tradeshow in Düsseldorf, Germany (Hall 6, Stand D42).

SABIC® LDPE Ultra Melt Strength (UMS) incorporates high-performing Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) materials that provide a high insulating capacity for building applications and an outstanding shock-absorbing capability for packaging applications. This pioneering line achieves new levels of cost efficiency, offering converters the opportunity to reduce foam density from between 5% and 10%, while improving thermal performance and maintaining excellent mechanical properties.

In addition, the Ultra Melt Strength range delivers notable manufacturing advantages. The UMS materials are less temperature-sensitive, allowing a wider operating window for machine temperatures. This combination of properties delivers considerable material and energy savings, supporting converters in their efforts to improve their cost and sustainability performance.

Sustainable solutions
The first two grades in the SABIC® LDPE UMS line – one designed for foam sheet applications, the second engineered for foam sealing applications – make the production of PE-foams more environmentally friendly. In addition, they are easier to recycle.

• SABIC® LDPE 2202 UMS, which is designed for foam sheet applications, is capable of significantly minimizing the unwanted waves associated with corrugation. This results in smooth end-products with excellent insulating properties that are easier to install and offer improved thermal insulation.
• SABIC® LDPE 1905 UMS improves the sealing and mechanical behavior of the end-product, making it ideal for foam sealing applications.

SABIC produces its high-performing SABIC® LDPE UMS line using its state-of-the-art PE tubular technology. This technology offers a more sustainable alternative to the traditional autoclave technology, enabling SABIC to reduce air emissions significantly while minimizing energy consumption and waste during the production process.


According to Eric Hogenboom, European Business Director PE – SABIC: “Our new SABIC® LDPE UMS line, combined with our tubular production technology, reflects SABIC’s Culture of Innovation. We continuously invest in the future, developing products and technologies that address the environmental challenges facing our customers and improving their cost position.”

The SABIC® LDPE UMS portfolio is available worldwide. Additional UMS grades will be launched in the near future.

About SABIC

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) ranks among the world’s top six 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 9 billion (US$ 2.4 billion) in 2009. Sales revenues for 2009 totaled SR 103 billion (US$ 27 billion). Total assets stood at SR 297 billion (US$ 79.2 billion) at the end of 2009.

SABIC’s businesses are grouped into Chemicals, Polymers, Performance Chemicals, Fertilizers, Metals and Innovative Plastics. SABIC has significant research resources with six dedicated Technology & Innovation Centers in Saudi Arabia, Europe, the USA and India. The company operates in more than 40 countries across the world with 33,000 employees worldwide.

The company has 19 world-scale complexes in Saudi Arabia. Elsewhere, SABIC manufactures on a global scale in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. SABIC’s overall production has increased from 35 million metric tons in 2001 to 59 million metric tons in 2009.

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 SABIC in Europe

In Europe, SABIC has 13 world-scale production facilities which manufacture innovative plastics, polyethylenes, polypropylenes and chemical products. Throughout Europe, SABIC employs approximately 6000 people.

The main European offices for three of SABIC’s strategic business units are located in The Netherlands - Innovative Plastics (Bergen op Zoom), Polymers (Sittard) and Chemicals (Sittard). They operate an extensive network of local sales offices and logistical hubs throughout Europe which are also responsible for the sales of products manufactured elsewhere in the world.

SABIC’s European research facilities form part of the global Technology and Innovation organization and can be found in the Netherlands (Geleen and Bergen op Zoom) and Spain (Cartagena).
Media Notes
• As an acronym, SABIC should be all caps whenever it appears in print.
• ® Trademark of SABIC

SABIC Europe
Europaboulevard 1
6135 LD
Sittard, The Netherlands

Europe
Brigitta de Vries
Marketing Solutions
Lelyweg 6
4612 PS
Bergen op Zoom
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 164 317 000
E-Mail: bdevries@marketingsolutions.be

This release was published on openPR.