Packaging applications specialty polymers

In the USA Exxon Chemical and Dow Plastics were the leaders in the metallocene technology. While Exxon explored both mono- and bis-cyclopentadienyl metallocenes, Dow focused on constrained geometry catalysts based on Ti-monocyclopentadienyl metallocenes. Exxon first produced metallocene-based polymers with its Exxpol catalysts in 1991. Dow uses its INSITE technology to make ethylene-octene copolymers, introduced in 1993. Copolymers with up to 20 wt% octene are sold as AFFINITY plastomers, competing with specialty polymers in packaging, medical devices, and other applications. Dow, producing its own catalyst, considers that it leads to the uniform introduction of comonomers and long-chain branches that improve processability of otherwise linear polymers. 

Progress in the development of nano-sized hybrid therapeutics and nano-sized drug delivery systems over the last decade has been remarkable. A growing number of products have already secured regulatory authority approval and, in turn, are supported by a healthy clinical development pipeline. They include products used to treat cancer, hepatitis, muscular sclerosis, and growth hormone deficiency. (See Therapeutics Packaging and Nanomedicines in Chapter 3 of Industrial Polymers, Specialty Polymers, and Their Applications.)... 

Cellulosic They are tough, transparent, hard or flexible natural polymers made from plant cellulose feedstock. With exposure to light, heat, weather and aging, they tend to dry out, deform, embrittle and lose gloss. Molding applications include tool handles, control knobs, eyeglass frames. Extrusion uses include blister packaging, toys, holiday decorations, etc. Cellulosic types, each with their specialty properties, include cellulose acetates (CAs), cellulose acetate butyrates (CABs), cellulose nitrates (CNs), cellulose propionate (CAPs), and ethyl celluloses (EC). 

Unfortunately these are expensive catalysts and they have not yet made a serious dent in the large-scale polymer market. However, specialty applications in food packaging, personal care, and medicine are being utilized. 

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