GLS Corporation Introduces New Line of Barrier TPE Alloys

McHenry, IL — GLS Corporation, the global leader in high performance thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), is introducing a new TPE alloy technology suite that features excellent barrier properties. Target applications in food and beverage packaging include beverage closures, flexible food packaging films, and other storage containers, as well as medical applications requiring package barrier integrity such as vial stoppers and medical films for IV bags.

According to GLS spokesman Walter Ripple, Global Director of Sales & Marketing, "Customers have been seeking TPEs with barrier properties for some time, a property not inherent in many TPE technologies. GLS has recently developed a multiple technology line of barrier TPEs that satisfy these demanding requirements. The technology will be available globally. "

The key benefit of this technology is barrier to oxygen and moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR). The oxygen permeation coefficients of the new TPE alloys range from 2,000 to 20,000 cc.mil/m2.day.atm @ 23C. Standard TPE oxygen barrier is typically in the range of 50,000 to 90,000 cc.mil/m2.day.atm @ 23C. And the MVTR is in the range of 2.3 to 3.8 g/m2.day @ 38C/100% RH. The use of this technology could provide a boost in 2X to 5X increase in shelf-life over conventional materials, and covers a broad range to accommodate packaging and storing a wide variety of food, beverage, and medical products.

Conventional barrier packaging typically requires thermoset rubbers, separate barrier layers, or second-step barrier packaging operations to provide the required barrier properties. These new TPE alloys provide an excellent alternative to those processes.

Special features of the grades include ease of processing in conventional injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion thermoplastic processing methods, and at a very consistent quality. Some of the grades offered are translucent which could be great value in aesthetic appeal of packaging and are easy to color. The technology ranges in hardness from Shore A 40 to 90.

The company reports that while there are several compounded grades of the new barrier TPE, many applications will require specially-tailored compounds to ensure a perfect barrier and other properties needed for its end use.

SOURCE: GLS Corporation