A New Family of LLDPEs with LDPE Processability Using Constrained Geometry Catalysts Technology

Ethylene α-olefin based linear low density polyethylenes (LLDPE) that exhibit the processability of high pressure, low density polyethylenes (HP-LDPE) are being developed by The Dow Chemical Company as a new polymer family. These High Processability Polymers (HPP) are produced via Constrained Geometry Catalysts (CGC) Technology, which includes the unique single-site catalyst and process technology that has gained recognition through the commercial successes of Polyolefin Plastomers (POP), Enhanced Polyethylenes (EPE) and Polyolefin Elastomers (POE). This HPP family can be split into several product types which exhibit different combinations of extrusion processability and film performance. By understanding the effects of long chain branching, molecular weight distribution and short chain branching distribution, polymer design can be used to match properties with the application performance requirements. This paper will discuss each of the HPP product types, and the versatility of the Constrained Geometry Catalysts Technology to meet the performance requirements of each type.