SOLUTION OUTPERFORMS EXISTING STRETCH HOOD, SHRINK HOOD AND CARDBOARD
16 December 2003 - ExxonMobil Chemical Co

ExxonMobil Chemical has developed an advanced, custom-designed, co-extrusion packaging solution, Nexxstar™ resin structures, which presents considerable benefits for converters and end-users. The first of this new family of resin structures, the Nexxstar stretch hood, offers cost benefits, outstanding toughness and exceptional optical properties for end-of-line packaging applications compared with current packaging options.

Working with Lachenmeier A/S, a leading manufacturer of end-of-line packaging machinery, including stretch hood equipment, enabled ExxonMobil Chemical to apply this new solution (co-extruded structures utilizing a new high performance Escorene™ Ultra copolymer and Exceed™ metallocene PE) on the latest commercial stretch hood machinery for different end-user applications.

"Our comprehensive analysis indicates that this new co-extrusion stretch hood technology outperforms shrink hoods in criteria such as film cost-per-pallet, operating cost, goods protection and packaging speed," said Ken Glover, Global Marketing Manager Polyethylene, ExxonMobil Chemical Company. "Additionally, it is a very attractive alternative compared to cardboard packaging. This film structure represents a significant step-change in performance compared with typical solutions used today. We can produce optimum film structures for a wide range of market applications, enabling our customers to better tailor the right film structure for each application."

Per Lachenmeier, President, Lachenmeier A/S said: "This new film technology fills a gap in the end-of-line packaging industry market. Results show that a myriad of load types from bagged products like cement, polymers or soil to building materials, appliances, foods, beverages and other bottled goods will all benefit from the new technology."

Available globally, benefits of Nexxstar stretch hood solutions include: lower operating costs (more than 30%) that may be achieved because the same holding force can be obtained while down-gauging the film structure; outstanding puncture and tear propagation resistance that results in improved packaging integrity, leading to less product damage during transportation and storage, and improved clarity, enabling easier bar-code reading and branding with no additional labels.

This innovation is a culmination of ExxonMobil Chemical's advanced polyethylene process and film application technologies which offer end-users and converters a new generation of enhanced, custom-designed, co-extrusion packaging solutions. NexxstarSM consulting and custom design services are available upon request.

http://www.exxonmobilchemical.com

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