ExxonMobil partners with Alliance Films and Cloeren on pre-stretch film solution

ExxonMobil Signature Polymers unifies ExxonMobil's polyolefin products under a single brand, simplifying portfolio navigation and promoting enhanced collaboration across the value chain.

ExxonMobil uses technology and innovation to help meet the world's growing energy needs. The company recently launched its new ExxonMobil Signature Polymers portfolio brand, which focuses on delivering best-in-class service and partnerships within the polymers industry. ExxonMobil Signature Polymers unifies ExxonMobil's polyolefin products under a single brand, simplifying portfolio navigation and promoting enhanced collaboration across the value chain.

The packaging industry increasingly demands stretch films that combine extreme stretchability, outstanding holding force, puncture resistance, and tear propagation performance. Alliance Films aimed to develop a power pre-stretch (PPS) film that meets these requirements, while providing consistent processing and optimized wrapping efficiency.  To achieve this, Alliance Films partnered with ExxonMobil Signature Polymers and Cloeren to engineer a 67-layer NanoLayer™ film structure.

Key components of the multilayer design include: Exceed™ m 3518 & Exceed™ Tough m 3812 for nanolayer combination of metallocene polyethylene delivering a balance of toughness and stretchability; Exceed™ Flow m 1716 core layer of metallocene polyethylene that enhances holding force; Vistamaxx™ 6000 performance polymer that boosts tear propagation resistance; Exceed™ Tough m 4536 higher-density metallocene polyethylene layer used on the release side; and Exceed™ Tough m 3812 & Vistamaxx™ 6102: blend forming the cling layer.

Most layers in the film structure use neat polymers rather than blends, allowing Alliance Films to fully leverage the molecular architecture of the performance polyethylene grades for superior mechanical properties.

Key results include:

• High mechanical performance: Ultimate elongation of 490% and force at break of 131 N, with stretch force of 105 N at 250% pre-stretch, delivering exceptional holding force.
• Wide working range and material efficiency: Natural Draw Ratio (NDR) of 325% allows wrapping at high pre-stretch levels, reducing film use per pallet.
• Tear propagation resistance: The film maintains strong tear resistance even at high elongation, with tear break times of over 25 seconds at 250% pre-stretch and over 15 seconds at 300%.
• Puncture resistance: Puncture strength remains high across 200–300% pre-stretch levels, ensuring reliable performance in demanding conditions.
• Optimized wrapping performance: At 300% pre-stretch, the film delivered strong containment, secured loads effectively, and reduced film usage by approximately 10% compared to standard levels.

By leveraging ExxonMobil Signature Polymers resins and Cloeren’s NanoLayer™ technology, Alliance Films successfully developed a high-performance PPS film that delivers top-tier performance, quality, and efficiency.