Borealis, a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers, announces the extension of its Queo™ polyolefin plastomers (POP) portfolio through the launch of three new polyolefin elastomers (POE) grades on 7 June 2016 at their Pre-K event in Linz, Austria.
It also announces the rebranding of the Compact technology, which will now be known as Borceed™. Borceed technology enables flexible materials exhibiting both plastic and elastomeric properties and is the platform supporting Borealis’ Queo products. The Queo portfolio expansion further enhances Borealis’ product offering of high-value specialty polyethylene (PE) products for the high-end segments of the automotive, consumer packaging, housewares, and wire and cable industries.
Queo plastomers and elastomers – Together we can
Borealis plastomers is a relatively new pillar of the Borealis Polyolefins family and its product brand Queo was launched in 2013. True to the Latin meaning of its name – “I can” – Queo products allow for the development of comprehensive solutions in both pure format and as a component in blends or compounds, creating maximum value for Borealis customers around the globe.
The Queo portfolio encompasses a range of multi-talented polyolefin plastomers and, now with this launch of three new grades, elastomers that bridge the performance gap between conventional polyolefin plastics like PE and conventional elastomers like ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). Produced using the proprietary Borceed technology, Queo plastomers and elastomers combine many of the physical properties of a rubber with the processing advantages of a thermoplastic material.
Launch of three new Queo polyolefin elastomers grades in June 2016
Borealis is now expanding its Queo product portfolio with the launch of three new polyolefin elastomer grades:
Queo™ 6800LA (density 868, melt flow rate 0.5)
Queo™ 7001LA (density 870, melt flow rate 1.0)
Queo™ 7007LA (density 870, melt flow rate 6.6)
Working with key players along the value chain in the respective target industries, Borealis has screened and validated product performance of the new grades. Focus applications for which Queo elastomers offer an especially appealing value-added proposition include:
Thermoplastic polyolefins for automotive parts, appliances and housewares
Adhesives
Cable bedding compounds
Grafted polymers
Highly resilient flooring such as playground surfaces and running tracks
Industrial film
Whilst Queo polyolefin plastomers are primarily aimed at applications requiring good to moderate flexibility combined with higher thermal properties and high mechanical strengths, Queo polyolefin elastomers are the material of choice when it comes to enhanced flexibility and outstanding low temperature impact.
Queo polyolefin elastomers deliver a number of additional benefits when compared to existing plastomers including:
Reduced crystallinity
Lower melting points (55–75°C)
Very high flexibility (<20 MPa) and low temperature impact
Decreased density
Improved low temperature performance (glass transition –55 °C)
“We are especially excited about the launch of our new Queo grades because they symbolise our commitment to expanding the range of solutions we can offer to our customers,” explains John Webster, Head of New Business Development, Borealis. “By leveraging core Borealis technologies on the one hand, and our leading supplier position in Europe on the other, we can ensure the reliable and secure supply of consistent, high quality polyolefin plastomers and elastomers in the long term.”
Borceed™ Technology: The platform behind Queo
Borealis is also announcing the rebranding of its Compact technology. A Borealis proprietary solution originally developed and marketed by DSM, it will now be known as Borceed. The new name unites “Borealis” with the company value “Exceed,” conveying the ongoing mission to constantly go beyond customer expectations by reaching for new heights in innovation, product performance, and customer service.
A technology enabling flexible materials that exhibit both plastic and elastomeric properties, Borceed is the platform behind the Queo products. It complements the proprietary Borealis technologies Borstar® and Borlink™ and can serve similar target markets and customers as these existing technologies, such as automotive, wire and cable, and high-end packaging.
“The timing of both the Queo portfolio expansion and the Borceed rebranding couldn’t be more appropriate, given that we launched the Queo brand itself at the previous K Fair in 2013. We have now passed the next major milestone in our mission to becoming an innovation leader in plastomers, and this is truly an exciting message to be able to broadcast at this year’s K,” says Maurits van Tol, Borealis Vice President Innovation and Technology. “We are confident that our Borealis plastomers portfolio expansion will help us penetrate new markets and cement our innovation leadership in this area. Be on the lookout for more exciting developments in Borealis plastomers in the future.”
Visit Borealis, Borouge and NOVA Chemicals at the K Fair from 19-26 October in Düsseldorf, Germany, hall 6, stand 6A43.