The demand for high-performance films keeps producers pushing for better. Manufacturers not only seek out the best attributes, but the best processes to deliver a clean and consistent product time and time again.
With 30 years in the industry, Julio Muzquiz, Technical Service Supervisor at Heartland Polymers, knows that delivering a quality product and continuous supply are paramount in meeting the needs of customers – and that’s where Heartland Polymers really shines.
“I’m a firm believer that if our customers don’t succeed, we don’t succeed – which is why at Heartland Polymers, we embody the motto of ‘we believe in better’ across every part of the business.”Julio Muzquiz, Technical Service Supervisor
“Providing a reliable, clean and high-quality product that performs consistently every time guides our PP manufacturing of grades for use in film extrusion processes, particularly in Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) film,” says Julio.
Leading the way in BOPP film extrusion
BOPP film extrusion is highly sought after in packaging, labelling and laminating for its exceptional clarity, strength and barrier properties. The advantage of BOPP film extrusion is the stretching of biaxially oriented films in two perpendicular directions, which results in higher strength and clarity compared to uniaxially oriented films.
When it comes to BOPP film extrusion, how do producers set themselves apart and deliver a sought-after resin? It starts with the cleanest product possible, making it easier to stretch without compromising on quality or introducing imperfections that will ultimately weaken the end product.
“When we talk to manufacturers it’s clear that the properties that matter most are clarity, stretchability and the ability to run at a fast rate,” says Julio. “Heartland’s H3003 BOPP film extrusion resin is meeting these demands and performing exceptionally well in the packaging industry in particular.”
From snack food bags and packaging film to electronic foiled packaging and clear packaging semi-rigid film, Heartland delivers film polypropylene grades with enhanced draw down, high-speed processability and high clarity.
“Our polypropylene provides an excellent balance of processability and physical properties,” shares Julio. “The high clarity lends to a clean end product that is exceptionally clear – an important characteristic for items like clear shipping tape. Heartland’s H3003 also provides the strong barrier properties needed to ensure durability for packaged products such as potato chip bags, so there is zero impact on taste, quality or freshness.”
Prioritizing processability
Equally as important as the physical properties is the processability, which impacts run rates and output, ultimately impacting a customer’s bottom line.
“Heartland’s polypropylene resin is formulated for excellent processability in the stretching process – the polymer is designed so it can be stretched in both directions without breaking. BOPP lines also need to run at fast rates, and Heartland’s H3003 BOPP film extrusion resin has been found to have an excellent processing window allowing for even faster production speeds.”
Another reason Heartland’s BOPP film stands out: our choice of production and proprietary catalyst technologies are key in reducing volatiles and residue in the manufacturing process. Our higher xylene soluble product compared to our competitors further allows the film to be stretched without tearing. This results in a cleaner product with less imperfections that could cause weak points on the film, which in turn would impact quality.
Customization and customer service
No matter the application or grade, at Heartland we work alongside our customers to deliver the perfect product for their very specific needs. Helping our partners elevate their production possibilities with our quality resins and personalized service model is all a part of our commitment to ‘better’.
“The feedback we continue to hear, not just about our BOPP film extrusion grade but our PP grades as a whole, is that we continue to deliver a clean, consistent product.”
“We further increase our value by working very closely with our customers to tweak and make adjustments to meet the specifications our customers require,” says Julio. “We’re more flexible than most, and we’re very proud of our ability to offer the range of customization you wouldn’t find with other producers.”
Learn more about our portfolio of polypropylene grades and reach out to the Heartland Polymers team to hear how we can deliver ‘better’ for you.
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