Other Packaging Applications

The greatest concern with PVC is as a contaminant in other polymers being recycled, particularly PET. Approximately 12 million pounds of PVC was recycled in 1993, about half from packaging (25). Applications for recycled PVC include as an inner layer sandwiched between two virgin PVC layers in pipe and sheet for blister packaging and other packaging applications. 

When Wella marketed its biodegradable shampoos in the 1990s, they decided to make the packaging of this product biodegradable as well. These shampoo bottles were the first commercial product made from PHAs. Since then, PHAs have found their way to other packaging applications including motor oil bottles and disposable razors. 

Becoming more popular for hot-frUed food containers and other packaging applications, cPP that is also tinted provides some additional eye-catching qualities. To understand better how to pigment this material, researchers at BASF s GPU Performance Chemicals compared the performance of dozens of standard pigments molded in cPP in 2-mm plaques, measuring the samples haze, clarity, and color quality. They noted a number of trends and conclusions ... 

In addition to limited use in beverage bottles, recycled PET packaging is used in nonfood bottles, trays, blisters, strapping, and other packaging applications. It also has a wide variety of nonpackaging uses, especially as fiber. 

Styrene butadiene copolymers can be processed by injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, and blow molding. The polymer does not need to be dried prior to use. Styrene butadiene copolymers are used in toys, housewares, and medical applications. Thermoformed products include disposable food packaging such as cups, bowls, clam shells, deli containers, and lids. Blister packs and other display packaging also use styrene butadiene copolymers. Other packaging applications include shrink wrap and vegetable wrap. ... 

Lower heat seal temperature useful in food and other packaging applications. 

Containers, bags for food and clothing, industrial liners, vapor barriers, agricultural films, household products, and shrink- and stretch-wrap films are commonly fabricated from LDPE. Other packaging applications for LDPE are bakery items, snacks, produce, durable consumer goods, textiles, and industrial items. 

Other packaging applications of E/CO polymers are expected to develop if the Food and Drug Administration sanctions their use in food packaging as petitioned. 

PLA polymers for packaging applications exhibit a balance of performance properties that are comparable and in certain cases superior, to traditional thermoplastics. PLA is useful in coated paper, films, rigid containers, bottles, and a variety of other packaging applications (Figure 11.4). However, there are two specific packaging areas that have received initial focus— high-value films and rigid thermoformed containers. Functional properties and their benefits are Usted in Table 11.2. 

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