WHO: ExxonMobil, one of the largest publicly traded international energy companies, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world's growing energy needs. ExxonMobil Signature Polymers brings together ExxonMobil’s polyolefin products under a single portfolio brand, simplifying portfolio navigation and promoting enhanced collaboration across the value chain. Focused on delivering best-in-class service and partnerships within the polymers industry, ExxonMobil Signature Polymers helps customers identify solutions that support performance, processing and business goals.
WHAT: The industry needs an improved heavy-duty-sack (HDS) packaging solution for moisture sensitive and fine powder products. Fine powder product packaging is a specialized field focused on the containment, protection, and presentation of powdered substances such as food ingredients, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, construction material and cosmetics.
Typically, fine powder products are packed in paper sacks due to their cost-effectiveness. However, this packaging material can be porous and absorb moisture from the surroundings, potentially leading to the clumping of the powder. Polyethylene liners were introduced in multi-layer paper sacks to address this problem, but multi-material packaging can be difficult to recycle and are prone to tearing or bursting under rough handling or stacking pressure.
Scientex Berhad (Scientex) partnered with ExxonMobil Signature Polymers, Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H), and Haver & Boecker oHG (H&B) to develop a polyethylene (PE)-based form-fill-seal (FFS) HDS solution for moisture sensitive and fine powder products.
To meet the demanding performance requirements for handling fine powder product, ExxonMobil Signature Polymers Exceed™ Tough+ performance resins were selected for their exceptional stiffness, toughness and moisture barrier properties. Scientex’s VentiFlex® FFS HDS featured a venting system that enabled excess air to escape the bag after the filling process without exposing the product packaged inside. Leveraging the properties of Exceed™ Tough+ performance polymers and W&H’s machinery expertise, Scientex was able to produce an innovative, selfventing, weatherproof, tubular FFS film that is approved for use on FFS machinery with enhanced sealability and durability for building materials and powdery products.
The FFS HDS solution delivered these downstream values:
- Reduction in packaging weight, with the PE-based bags weighing up to 13% less than a reference paper-based sack.
- High moisture barrier, which can help prevent product loss due to moisture ingress or powder sticking to the sacks.
- Outstanding bag drop performance with excellent bag toughness and strength.
- Enhanced brand appeal with high quality print possibilities.
A cost and performance analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of switching from traditional kraft paper bags with PE liners to full PE-based FFS HDS solution. The key to unlocking cost savings lies in selecting the optimal PE formulation with the right bag.
Based on a scale of 10 million bags annually, the adoption of an Exceed™ Tough+ based HDS demonstrated clear advantages:
- 6% reduction in packaging costs.
- Designed for recyclability* with mono-material PE design.
“We are thrilled to partner with Scientex in developing an innovative powder packaging solution, which uses ExxonMobil’s advanced polymer technologies to deliver superior performance and efficiency. Also, by partnering with other industry leaders like W&H and H&B, we are creating a comprehensive end-to-end ecosystem that empowers the end users to innovate in powder packaging, and meet the evolving demands of global markets. This alliance exemplifies our commitment to driving value through integrated solutions and long-term partnerships,” remarked Molina Albright, Global Strategic Alliance Manager for ExxonMobil Product Solutions.
WHERE: For more details, visit here.
*Designed with features intended to support recyclability. Actual recyclability depends on factors such as local collection, sortation, and recycling infrastructure, as well as the condition and configuration of the film after use. However, access to facilities that accept and process plastic film is limited and not widely available.
About ExxonMobil Signature Polymers
ExxonMobil Signature Polymers was born from the belief that people fuel progress. From automotive and construction to packaging, agriculture, industrial, and beyond, we leverage the scale and reach of ExxonMobil to deliver the insights and innovations that empower our diverse, global partners to take their businesses to new heights. We continuously work to provide the listen-first, service-driven, game-changing collaboration that unlocks opportunities for our partners and advances business goals.