LyondellBasell Industries B.V. (LYB; Rotterdam, the Netherlands) announced the installation of a new Colines cast film line at its Cincinnati Technology Center. This installation represents a leap forward in the company’s innovation and collaboration capabilities, allowing engineers to develop and test cast film grades in unprecedented ways.
LYB installed the Colines cast film line to support the development of high-performance stretch films and other specialty applications. The state-of-the-art line features a 7-layer, 5-extruder setup designed to closely replicate commercial film production while operating on a smaller scale to avoid excess output. It supports stretch film grades like Petrothene GA1820 and GA1832, with the same chill roll diameter used in full-scale commercial lines, producing one finished roll at a time under near-commercial conditions.
The Colines cast film line
(Source: LyondellBasell)
Beyond stretch films, the line is built for flexibility. It includes interchangeable extruder screws and advanced processing capability to produce complex structures, such as ethylene vinyl alcohol oxygen barrier films using Plexar tie layers. A dual-sided corona treater enables downstream lamination or printing, further expanding potential applications. The system can produce film thicknesses ranging from 4 mils (102 microns) down to 10 microns (0.4 mils), with a maximum throughput of approximately 1300 lbs/hr. The line is also equipped with the same high-speed winder used in commercial production.
“This new cast film line is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and collaboration. By enhancing our capabilities, we are better positioned to collaborate with our customers and deliver tailored solutions that meet their unique needs,” said Mick Hundley, Cincinnati Technology Center site director.
This investment represents an exciting opportunity to support the development of cast film grades in ways previously not possible, including the ability to generate and test full structures. While the specific design and optimization for high-speed stretch film production is particularly exciting, the versatility of the line opens significant possibilities for structure design and testing in applications such as food packaging and healthcare films. “This capability enables LYB to act as a solutions provider more effectively with customers. We now have enhanced the ability to collaborate on structure design and tailor products and solutions to meet unique needs and solve challenges,” said Matt Sonnycalb, AD&TS/PAD technical manager.
The installation demonstrates the company’s enhanced capabilities to better serve customers and drive innovation in the cast film market.