BASF TPU Material for Static Dissipative Films-The Best Price/Performance Ratio in the Industry!

The innovative film DUO EX-TRA from the film manufacturer DUO PLAST AG in Lauterbach, Germany, is equipped with the static dissipative polymer Elastostat®. This creates the first stretch film suitable for use in potentially explosive environments. The newly developed film avoids electrostatic sparks. As a result, stretched pallet units no longer pose an explosion hazard.

Conventional stretch film is not approved for use in explosive areas due to static electricity and pallets must be repacked prior to entry.

The amount of work involved in unpacking or wrapping incoming and outgoing cargo with conventional stretch film is enormous. Therefore, stretch films with Elastostat® are particularly suitable for companies in the chemical industry and their suppliers, and can be supplied directly to hazardous areas in the future.

Packaging delivery processes become more efficient, sustainability is improved, and costs are reduced. BASF itself is not only a supplier of raw materials, but also a customer and user of the new packaging films.

The secret ingredient - Elastostat®

Since 2017, BASF's development team in Lemfoerde, Germany, consisting of 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 had to achieve the desired surface resistance while maintaining stretchability and at the same time consider the thickness of the film." Anja Oltmanns, BASF TPU Sales, explains.

Completely safe and sustainable packaging

The film is colored with a red strip. As a result, the pallets of packaging can be clearly identified visually and it can be ensured that they are used in a way that is suitable for the area in question.

"The blown film produced in cooperation with BASF is unique on a global scale. This is because no stretch film has previously been approved on the market for use in hazardous areas.

Therefore, the film can be used to package conductive capacitors in contact with earth in potentially explosive environments (zones 1 and 2). Removal of the aluminum foil is also permitted in the aforementioned areas." says Nina Schnitzler, Key Account Manager at DUO PLAST AG.

In addition, DUO EX-TRA films are equipped with the patented Duo Double Edge, which has a huge tension. The web structure formed during processing enables optimal load cell stability with minimal material consumption. Editor's note:This material has great potential and deserves attention.