SABIC and PPR – building on strengths
SABIC has been associated with PPR (Random Copolymer Polypropylene) for many years and is currently investing to grow into markets beyond its traditional sectors.
Market growth
SABIC has a good track record in PPR and a strong position in the pipe sector. Its technical expertise has evolved and developed over 25 years of manufacturing PPR at Gelsenkirchen in Germany.
Opportunities to grow are now two-fold: to offer a broader portfolio of PPR grades to existing customers, and to create PPR solutions in new markets that are experiencing rapid growth and development.
Sharing expertise
PPR is a versatile material whose use has been extended to include applications such as blow molding, cast film, and injection molding in recent years. SABIC is in a strong position to help promote PPR, as it can combine its manufacturing expertise with its knowledge of the packaging market and other growth segments.
SABIC traditionally has had a very strong presence with the company’s SABIC® PP copolymer product range in the market segments houseware, thin wall packaging, and caps & closures. Because of increasing demand for products which combine good transparency with high melt flow and optimal processability, SABIC is now upgrading its position in these segments by supplying an increase share of high flow PPR grades with optimal transparency.
Similarly SABIC will shortly expand its coverage of the blow molding market by offering clarified PPR grades next to its current HDPE blow molding product range. These products will offer particular value for applications in the food, detergent, and cosmetic segments for which good transparency is a key requirement.
Investing in assets
SABIC is now investing in upgrades and developments of existing plants on the Gelsenkirchen site to create the capacity to grow into these new markets, in addition to further expanding its traditional position in the pipe market.
SABIC’s PPR plants in Gelsenkirchen will work alongside each other, creating a flexible and responsive manufacturing base that can offer security of supply to existing markets. The arrangement will also provide SABIC with an ideal base for the development of new specialty PPR products in the future.
This investment in capacity and the development of new PPR grades will create a more comprehensive portfolio for existing customers. It also promises to bring a new focus to the development of PPR solutions in the years to come.
Summary
Name: SABIC® PP products for injection and blow molding
Grades: SABIC® PP RA12MN40
Major features:
- SABIC has a strong existing PPR base – both manufacturing facilities, market knowledge and technical expertise
- SABIC intends to broaden its coverage of various market segments with higher added value PPR products, for which the Gelsenkirchen production facilities are particularly suitable
SABIC is exhibiting at K2007 Hall 6, Stand D42.
SABIC's production site in Gelsenkirchen, Germany
