Dow Chemical Co. has unveiled Versify-brand propylene-ethylene copolymers, a line of diverse materials aimed at film, rigid packaging, consumer durables and several other markets.
``In talking with customers, we were hearing an increasing number of unmet product performance needs in the areas of optics, sealing, flexibility and softness,'' new business development director Ralf Brinkmann said in a recent phone interview. ``That's what led to the development of Versify.''
The new materials - made with Dow's Insite-brand single-site catalyst technology - already have gone through at least 15 months of testing and will be commercialized in the second half of 2004. Officials at Midland, Mich.-based Dow have not decided which of the firm's global plants will be used for initial Versify production.
Twelve Versify grades initially will be available. Officials declined to give a per-pound price estimate, but said Versify would be priced in line with other specialty polymers.
Dow polypropylene research and development director Diane Sexton said Versify can offer processors and designers ``a soft touch without a rubbery feel,'' as well as a high-end melting point. The material also offers excellent clarity vs. standard polypropylene films.
Dow officials pointed out that although the Versify line is being described as plastomers and elastomers, the product is distinct and different from materials produced by the DuPont Dow Elastomers joint venture that Dow has with DuPont Co.
