A clear anti-fogging PP lid for microwaveable food packaging

South Plastic Industry, a leading Asian manufacturer of thermoformed plastic food packaging, has been striving for years to develop a clear, anti-fogging polypropylene (PP) lid for its microwaveable food packaging.

The aim has been to replace oriented polystyrene (OPS) in this key application, but it wasn’t easy to find a way to get the highly recyclable PP to meet all the necessary performance requirements while also retaining the clarity and non-yellowing aesthetics that are vital to appealing to consumers on the grocery store shelves. Until now.
Based in New Taipei City, Taiwan, South Plastic Industry (or SPI) has leveraged its close, five-year working relationship with additives supplier Milliken & Company to finally achieve its goals. Using Milliken’s Millad® NX® 8000 clarifier, the two parties have produced an UltraClear™ PP resin that delivers on all the performance promises for ready-meal packaging, while also offering additional processing benefits. SPI also recently began using Milliken’s Hyperform® HPN® performance additives in its PP formulations, as well. “By using Milliken’s additives, we are able to thermoform our products at a lower processing temperature, which allows us to reduce our energy use,” said Mr. Tosho Wang, President of SPI. “At the same time,” he said, “these additives allow SPI to produce a thinner PP lid without affecting rigidity, which in turn helps to reduce plastic usage while increasing output.” Saving energy during processing is a major plus for SPI, which runs dozens of thermoforming machines in its Taiwan plant. “Milliken’s additives produce an UltraClear PP that prevents yellowing, reduces oxidation reaction, and extends the shelf life of packaged product,” added Kua Cheng Huat, Milliken Sales Manager for Taiwan.

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