Abstract: A polymer processing aid (PPA) reduces melt defects in extruded polyolefins in the absence of fluoropolymers. The polymer processing aid comprises a polyalkylene glycol such as a polyethylene glycol together with a high pressure low density polyethylene (LDPE) and reduces melt defects well in a thermoplastic polyolefin such as a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure are zirconium and hafnium complexes that contain 1) a cyclopentadienyl ligand; 2) an adamantyl-phosphinimine ligand; and 3) at least one other ligand. The use of such a complex, in combination with an activator, as an olefin polymerization catalyst is demonstrated. The catalysts are effective for the copolymerization of ethylene with an alpha olefin (such as 1-butene, 1-hexene, or 1-octene).

Abstract: In the manufacture of extruded polymers there are a number of surface defects referred to as sharkskin, snakeskin and orange peel which all generally relate to the rheology of the polymer melt. A severe form of surface defect is “melt fracture” which is believed to result when the shear rate at the surface of the polymer is sufficiently high that the surface of the polymer begins to fracture. That is, there is a slippage of the surface of the extruded polymer relative to the body of the polymer melt. The surface generally can't flow fast enough to keep up with the body of the extrudate and a fracture in the melt occurs generally resulting in a severe loss of surface properties for the extrudate. A polymer extension process is disclosed wherein these undesirable surface defects are eliminated.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure are titanium complexes that contain 1) a cyclopentadienyl ligand; 2) an adamantyl-phosphinimine ligand; and 3) at least one activatable ligand. The use of such a complex, in combination with an activator, as an olefin polymerization catalyst is demonstrated. The catalysts are effective for the copolymerization of ethylene with an alpha olefin (such as 1-butene, 1-hexene or 1-octene) and enable the production of high molecular weight copolymers (Mw greater than 25,000) at high productivity under solution polymerization conditions.

Abstract: Barrier films are prepared from a composition comprising 1) a blend of two high density polyethylene HDPE blend components, 2) zinc glycerolate and 3) a dispersion aid/synergist. The two high density polyethylene blend components have substantially different melt indices. It is difficult to properly mix the zinc glycerolate into this HDPE blend. The use of the dispersion aid/synergist improves the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of polyethylene film (in comparison to barrier films made with zinc glycerolate, in the absence of the dispersion aid/synergist). The resulting barrier films are suitable for the preparation of packaging for dry foods such as crackers and breakfast cereals.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure are organometallic complexes that contain i) a metal atom selected from Hf and Zr; 2) a phosphinimine ligand; 3) an amido-ether ligand and at least one other ancillary ligand. The use of such a complex, in combination with an activator, as an olefin polymerization catalyst is demonstrated. The catalysts are effective for the copolymerization of ethylene with an alpha olefin (such as 1-butene, 1-hexene, or 1-octene) and enable the production of high molecular weight copolymers (Mw greater than 25,000) with good comonomer incorporation at high productivity.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a continuous solution polymerization process where ethylene interpolymer products having an improved color index; for example, products having higher whiteness (Whiteness Index (WI)) and lower yellowness (Yellowness Index (YI)). Product color was improved by adjusting selected solution polymerization reaction conditions. The disclosed ethylene interpolymer products have improved color relative to comparative polyethylene compositions.

Abstract: A solution polymerization process uses a reactor system in which a first stage is operated in a non adiabatic (cooled) manner and is connected to a second stage containing a downstream reactor that is operated adiabatically. In an embodiment, the first reactor stage includes at least one loop reactor and the second stage includes a tubular reactor. In an embodiment, the first stage is operated with a single site catalyst and at least one downstream reactor uses a Ziegler Natta catalyst.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure are organometallic complexes that contain i) a metal atom selected from Hf and Zr; 2) a phosphinimine ligand; 3) an amido-ether ligand and at least one other ancillary ligand. The use of such a complex, in combination with an activator, as an olefin polymerization catalyst is demonstrated. The catalysts are effective for the copolymerization of ethylene with an alpha olefin (such as 1-butene, 1-hexene, or 1-octene) and enable the production of high molecular weight copolymers (Mw greater than 25,000) with good comonomer incorporation at high productivity.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure are organometallic complexes that contain i) a metal atom selected from Hf and Zr; 2) a phosphinimine ligand; 3) an amido-ether ligand and at least one other ancillary ligand. The use of such a complex, in combination with an activator, as an olefin polymerization catalyst is demonstrated. The catalysts are effective for the copolymerization of ethylene with an alpha olefin (such as 1-butene, 1-hexene, or 1-octene) and enable the production of high molecular weight copolymers (Mw greater than 25,000) with good comonomer incorporation at high productivity.

Abstract: Barrier films are prepared from a composition comprising 1) a blend of two high density polyethylene HDPE blend components, 2) zinc glycerolate and 3) a dispersion aid/synergist. The two high density polyethylene blend components have substantially different melt indices. It is difficult to properly mix the zinc glycerolate into this HDPE blend. The use of the dispersion aid/synergist improves the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of polyethylene film (in comparison to barrier films made with zinc glycerolate, in the absence of the dispersion aid/synergist). The resulting barrier films are suitable for the preparation of packaging for dry foods such as crackers and breakfast cereals.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure are organometallic complexes that contain i) a metal atom selected from Hf and Zr; 2) a phosphinimine ligand; 3) an amido-ether ligand and at least one other ancillary ligand. The use of such a complex, in combination with an activator, as an olefin polymerization catalyst is demonstrated. The catalysts are effective for the copolymerization of ethylene with an alpha olefin (such as 1-butene, 1-hexene, or 1-octene) and enable the production of high molecular weight copolymers (Mw greater than 25,000) with good comonomer incorporation at high productivity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, this disclosure provides a process for the stabilization of thermoplastic polyolefins during melt processing operations. In some embodiments, the stabilizer package disclosed herein is “phenol free” and contains at least one solid aryl monophosphite and a specific liquid phosphite. The processes disclosed herein are suitable for the manufacture of polyethylene film.

Abstract: A solution polymerization process uses a reactor system in which a first stage is operated in a non adiabatic (cooled) manner and is connected to a second stage containing a downstream reactor that is operated adiabatically. In an embodiment, the first reactor stage includes at least one loop reactor and the second stage includes a tubular reactor. In an embodiment, the first stage is operated with a single site catalyst and at least one downstream reactor uses a Ziegler Natta catalyst.

Abstract: Asphalt shingles are commonly sold in a package that is prepared from polyethylene film. The packages are prone to premature failure after prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It has now been found that the addition of carbon black to the film can improve the UV resistance life of polyethylene packaging for asphalt shingles.

Abstract: The oligomerization of ethylene using a chromium catalyst having a heteroatomic ligand may be used to provide oligomerization products that are selective towards hexene and/or octene. However, such processes also typically produce some polymer as an undesirable by product. The present invention is directed towards improvements in the selective oligomerization of ethylene.

Abstract: Barrier films are prepared from a blend of two high density polyethylene blend components and a high performance organic nucleating agent. The two high density polyethylene blend components have substantially different melt indices. Large reductions in the moisture vapor transmission rate of the film are observed in the presence of the nucleating agent when the melt indices of the two blend components have a ratio of greater than 10/1. The resulting barrier films are suitable for the preparation of packaging for dry foods such as crackers and breakfast cereals.

Abstract: In some embodiments, this disclosure provides a process for the stabilization of thermoplastic polyolefins during melt processing operations. In some embodiments, the stabilizer package disclosed herein is “phenol free” and contains at least one solid aryl monophosphite and a specific liquid phosphite. The processes disclosed herein are suitable for the manufacture of polyethylene film.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a continuous solution polymerization process where ethylene interpolymer products having an improved color index; for example, products having higher whiteness (Whiteness Index (WI)) and lower yellowness (Yellowness Index (YI)). Product color was improved by adjusting selected solution polymerization reaction conditions. The disclosed ethylene interpolymer products have improved color relative to comparative polyethylene compositions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a continuous solution polymerization process where ethylene interpolymer products having an improved color index; for example, products having higher whiteness (Whiteness Index (WI)) and lower yellowness (Yellowness Index (YI)). Product color was improved by adjusting selected solution polymerization reaction conditions. The disclosed ethylene interpolymer products have improved color relative to comparative polyethylene compositions.