Blowplast doubles PCR content in lubricant bottles with ExxonMobil’s PE
Nairobi-based converter Blowplast says it has successfully integrated up to 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in its blow-moulded lubricant bottles, in line with a sustainability benchmark set by East African brand owners. This milestone was achieved through the partial replacement of traditional HDPE with materials firm ExxonMobil’s Enable 4002 performance polyethylene (PE).
Local brand owners had set a requirement of at least 25% PCR content, but the existing HDPE material made bottles too brittle, leading to breakage issues. Seeking a solution, Blowplast turned to ExxonMobil, whose HDPE (HYA 600) material was already in use but could not fully meet the new standards without modification.
ExxonMobil suggested using Enable 4002 performance polymer as a partial replacement for HDPE HYA 600. By incorporating Enable 4002, ExxonMobil and Blowplast improved bottle durability and impact resistance, enabling higher PCR content without sacrificing strength. Enable 4002 enhanced flexibility and stress-crack resistance, which helped maintain the structural integrity of bottles during transport and storage.
The three-layer blow moulding application incorporates PCR in the core layer, while the skin layers are made entirely from Enable 4002. The lower extrusion temperature enabled by Enable 4002 also provided energy savings during production, with a reduction in extruder temperature by 20°C.
The new bottles are said to outperform the previous design, which incorporated only 10% PCR content.
Drop tests showed resilience to impact with no breakage, and load tests confirmed structural stability under heavy weights. The bottles also met leak and visual appearance standards, proving that the solution satisfied both quality and aesthetic requirements, even with increased PCR content.
The companies add that the new bottle design not only met stringent PCR targets but also set a benchmark for quality, showcasing the potential of Enable 4002 to support high-performance packaging solutions.
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