Dow Introduces New High Performance PE Resin for Geomembranes

Nürnberg, Germany -The Dow Chemical Company today announced the commercial availability of a new HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) resin for use in geomembranes, the synthetic sheet-like structures that are commonly used as impermeable liners in geotechnical engineering applications for environmental protection, prevention of drinking water loss and water collection, and water-proofing constructions.

The new product, HDPE 50045E, underscores advances in polyethylene material science that have made it a popular constituent material for geomembranes. It is a high performance resin with a special molecular structure (high molecular weight) that provides a combination of flexibility with high melt strength and excellent processability for thick blown film extrusion applications such as geomembranes. A specific carbon black component is incorporated into HDPE 50045E resin to ensure that a fully stabilised, homogeneous black sheet can be produced. The new resin also provides high UV and chemical resistance; long term durability; high tensile strength; high tear strength; high burst strength; high puncture resistance; excellent dimensional stability; excellent conformance and lay-flat characteristics; high Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR); high peel and shear performance; and easy and safe weldability. Since HDPE 50045E can be used for geomembrane drinking water applications, it also complies with requirements for use in food contact applications according to EU Directive 2002/72/EC.

“Dow has a strong track record in the development of innovative geomembrane resins,” said Katja Wodjereck, Pipe and Geomembranes Market Manager for Dow Europe. “Other Dow products for geomembrane applications include DOWLEX™ 2342M, which is used in flat die production of liners for landfills and ponds; DOWLEX™ SL 2103G, used in blown sheets and flat die production of geomembranes for capping, landfills and ponds; and ATTANE™ SL 4102 ULDPE (Ultra Low-Density Polyethylene), which is used in cast film production of geomembranes for lining tunnels, and VERSIFY™ Plastomers and Elastomers for tunnel liners and waterproofing membranes on drinking water lines.”