Metallocene Linear Low Density Polyethylene Blends for Pouch Materials in High-Speed Hot-Liquid Filling Process

Abstract

This chapter reviews the characteristics of the blend of metallocene-LLDPE and conventional LLDPE especially in terms of filling and sealing properties. Pouch materials for liquid fillers (sauce and dressing) are usually laminated films consisting of nylon substrate and extrusion-laminated heat-sealable materials such as linear low density polyethylene, LLDPE, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, EVAc. Recently the use of metallocene linear low density polyethylene is on the increase because of the superior high-speed sealability, however, the heat resistance of metallocene-LLDPE is not enough for sterilizing hot-filling process. The blend of conventional LLDPE with metallocene-LLDPE has improved the heat resistance of the pouch material, and this blend material can be satisfactorily used for high-speed hot-filling process. Blending of conventional LLDPE with metallocene-LLDPE improved the heat resistance and the ability for high-speed hot filling process.