Rigid packaging

Rigid packaging includes any application in which a product is packaged prior to point of sale. It includes SBC manufactured in a variety of processes and packaging a wide range of goods. 

Food packaging is a significant area of demand for SBC. Its ease of processability allows it to be used in barrier co-extruded structures. It can be coextruded using adhesive layers with EVOH or PVDC to produce a sheet structure that is readily thermoformed into containers for aseptic food packaging. The high barrier and excellent clarity make it ideal for showcasing packaged products [10]. 

Oriented polystyrene (OPS) is widely used for many packaging applications, including deli and bakery packaging. The biaxial orientation of the crystal polystyrene provides a significant improvement in impact strength and makes a very rigid material. Even with the enhancement of impact resistance, usually some level of impact modifier is required. SBCs are an excellent modifier for OPS. They help maintain the excellent clarity while also improving impact and processability of the OPS. 

SBC can be processed on most conventional blow molding and injection blow molding equipment designed for many other types of polymers with little or no equipment modifications. This includes continuous, accumulator head, or reciprocating screw extrusion blow molding equipment. Bottles made from SBC have been used widely for applications such as honey bears. The SBC will withstand the moderate hot fill temperatures required for this application. 

SBC can also be molded into overcaps. These are injection molded clear caps that are often used on bottles for food and cosmetic packaging. Overcaps are typically made by injection molding in multicavity molds and designed for a snap fit. They must have high gloss and clarity and can often have a transparent color. 

Ex-Tech Plastics Inc. became the first company to produce thermoformed sheet based on NatureWorks PLA in 2003. 

Wilkinson Industries Inc. became the first US company to manufacture thermoformed food containers and trays made from biodegradable polymers. The NaturesPLAstic product range is based on NatureWorks PLA polymers. 

In 2004, two of the world s leading processors of rigid plastic packaging, Huhtamaki and RPC Group, both announced new product ranges based on NatureWorks PLA. 

BioWare has already achieved some success in the marketplace. For example Aiken Maes, the second largest Belgian brewery, used the BioWare beer cups in the 2004 summer festivals, after which the cups were composted. 

In 2004, RPC Bebo Nederland launched a range of biodegradable containers manufactured in NatureWork s PLA material. RPC says that PLA offers excellent clarity and has an equivalent oxygen barrier to polypropylene. For sealed packs, RPC Bebo Nederland can also supply a heat-sealable, compostable lidding film, which is manufactured from biodegradable cellulose derived from wood pulp. 

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The U.S. Department of Transportation subjects HCN to rigid packaging, labeling, and shipping regulations. HCN can be purchased in cylinders rang... 

Polypropylene is extensively used in injection molding because of the wide range of physical properties and melt flow rates available. The principal markets served include transportation (primarily automotive), appliances, consumer products, rigid packaging, and medical products. Polypropylene use has increased in the automotive industry because of the wide availability of high melt flow rate impact copolymers for use in large thin parts, such as interior trim. 

This test is intended to detect channels, open pathways, or discontinuity in a sealed area specified as a critical primary barrier. Pinholes in nonporous materials are also detected. This method is suitable for both flexible and rigid packages and with porous and nonporous materials. 

ANs are those that contain a majority of nitrile polymers. They provide good gas barrier, chemical resistance, and low taste and odor transfer with good impact properties when modified with rubber. Extruded sheet is used extensively in food packaging and rigid packaging applications. This crystalline TP is most useful in copolymers. Its copolymer with butadiene is nitrile rubber. Acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers with styrene (SAN) exist that are tougher than PS. It is also used as a synthetic fiber and as a chemical intermediate. 

Rigid packaging applications include thermoformed trays and containers for packaging fresh food and convenience food. 

Consumer goods includes rigid packaging for ice cream, edible fats and spreads, dairy, personal care, household care, pet food, confectionery, convenience foods, baby food as well as beverages and fresh foods. 

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