The innovative film DUO EX-TRA of the film manufacturer DUO PLAST AG in Lauterbach, Germany, is equipped with the static dissipative polymer Elastostat®. This created the first stretch film suitable for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The newly developed film avoids static sparks. Thus, the stretched pallet unit no longer poses an explosion hazard.
Traditional stretch film is not approved for use in explosive areas due to static electricity, and pallets must be repackaged before entering. The amount of work to unpack or pack incoming and outgoing goods with traditional stretch film is enormous. Therefore, stretch films with Elastostat® are particularly suitable for companies in the chemical industry and their suppliers, which in the future can be supplied directly to hazardous areas. The packaging delivery process has become more efficient, sustainability has improved and costs have been reduced. BASF itself is not only a raw material supplier, but also a customer and user of new packaging films.
Since 2017, BASF's development team in Lemfoerde, Germany, comprising packaging consulting, safety engineering, product development and polyurethane sales, has been working to meet the long-term demand for dissipative films. The team developed the solution: Elastostat®, a dissipative polymer based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), from BASF Polyurethanes in Lemfoerde, Germany.
"It was not feasible to combine our additives with the film to improve conductivity. We wanted to achieve the desired surface resistance while maintaining stretchability, while also taking into account the thickness of the film," explained the researchers.
Completely safe and sustainable packaging
The film is colored in red bands. As a result, packed pallets can be clearly identified visually and it can be ensured that they are used appropriately in the relevant area.
"The blown film produced in cooperation with BASF is unique worldwide. As no stretch film approved for use in hazardous areas has previously been on the market. Therefore, the film can be used for packaging in potentially explosive atmospheres (zones 1 and 2) Conductive containers in contact with the earth in the area). Removal of the aluminum foil is also allowed in the above-mentioned areas. The relevant personnel said.
In addition, the DUO EX-TRA film is equipped with the patented Duo Double Edge with enormous tension. The mesh structure formed during processing enables optimum load cell stability with minimal material consumption.