The Nexxstar concept will target the market for stretch film pallet wrap

The Nexxstar concept will target the market for stretch film pallet wrap

ExxonMobil’s metallocene polyethylene programme is enjoying growth rates in excess of 20% a year, according to global PE Films marketing manager Dan Schuessler. He said the company was “very pleased” with the progress, which compares with growth of around 6% a year in LLDPE.

Growing offtake of the material is putting more emphasis on winning higher volume applications for PEs made using the metallocene catalysts, in which Exxon was a pioneer. Schuessler is launching the company’s Nexxstar concept to the enormous market for stretch film pallet wrap.

Nexxstar is a three layer coextruded film with Exceed metallocene blend PE on both sides of an Escorene Ultra high vinyl acetate copolymer resin core. It is said to offer a much greater degree of stretch and elasticity as well as high clarity and complete encapsulation of the pallet. Working in collaboration with Danish packaging equipment maker Lachenmeier, the company is targeting a range of markets with a combination of lower cost and improved performance.

Major packers, including Interbrew and Whirlpool as well as ExxonMobil itself, have already adopted the technology in which a full hood is drawn down over the pallet with Lachenmeier equipment.