HMC at Global Summit
HMC Polymers, in cooperation with Basell Polyolefins India, (the regional subsidiary of HMC's joint venture associate LyondellBasell) recently participated in the 7th Specialty Films & Flexible Packaging Global Summit 2018 held at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, India.
Dr. Andreas Neumann, Senior Department Manager, Business Innovation and Technology was invited to give a speech and his subject was “Adapting for Success - HMC Polymers Pushing Flexible Packaging Boundaries". Also attending the summit from HMC were the (former) President, Mr. Martyn Tickner, K. Kessaraporn Trongtorsak, PP Solutions Department Manager, and K. Chudanat Bandhukul, PP Solutions Segment Manager.
Dr. Neumann spoke on Wednesday, 5th September, Day 2/Session 5 of the Summit:
Advancements in Materials in Packaging - Polymers
The topic of Adapting for Success is particularly relevant for HMC due to global trends that, on the one hand, see the positive use of plastics increasing in packaging due to its intrinsic benefits for food safety, shipping, convenience and protection, but, on the other hand, encounters emerging negativity stemming from lack of collection and incorrect disposal (particularly in Asia), creating problems for the global environment.
Dr. Neumann reminded the audience of the Charles Darwin quote which said "the species that survive are the ones that are most adaptable to change". The same principle applies to materials and production technologies in a rapidly changing world.
HMC is committed to working toward a sustainable future through product development boosting the capabilities of PP to allow for significant reductions in packaging weight and longer life for durable products. In addition, HMC is collaborating at local government level and with our communities to realize a circular economy model for plastic products that can apply the essential 4-Rs:
- Reduce - Less material per product
- Reuse - Durable products can be reused for alternative purposes
- Recycle - PP is 100% recyclable, but due to difficulties in segregation, food contamination and other factors, 50% is probably the maximum that can be achieved
- Recover - Remaining materials can be used for energy recovery as is done in all the countries leading in recycling/recovery rates - plastic offers the same calorific value and lower carbon footprint than fossil fuels
Dr. Neumann explained how the HMC PP product portfolio is constantly Adapting for Success in addressing the challenges posed by a dynamic market and global social and environmental trends and new requirements. Those areas include:
The evolution of PP polymerization technology
Polypropylene production has undergone rapid evolution from Slurry processes to Spheripol and now to the Spherizone process developed by HMC joint venture associate LyondellBasell. This latest generation PP process technology, utilized by HMC, is based on a multi-zone reactor that produces high performance PP and novel polyolefins for a broad range of applications.
The evolution of PP products to assist ecological needs
- Water management and sanitation - HMC Hostalen PP pipe applications
- Healthcare and ageing - HMC Purell medical PP grades
- Food safety, food availability and fuel efficiency - The HMC PP portfolio delivers benefits targeting reduction of material per packaging unit, high purity film, functional sealing layers and mono-material packaging solutions.