Dow Reveals Health and Hygiene Product Applications for INFUSE™ Olefin Block Copolymers at INDEX 08

This week Dow delivers a series of technical presentations at the INDEX 08 exhibition in Geneva detailing how its INFUSE™ Olefin Block Copolymers (OBCs) can create powerful new product application opportunities for brand owners and converters in the health and hygiene market segment. INFUSE OBCs, one of Dow’s latest resin product families, are an exciting development in olefin elastomers because of a distinct block architecture that delivers excellent new combinations of resin performance and processing properties.

“The advantages of INFUSE OBCs can help health and hygiene brand owners to differentiate their products and optimize cost-in-use compared to traditional elastomer materials,” said Carlos Ruiz, Global Market Director for Health and Hygiene, The Dow Chemical Company. “As our presentations here have shown, they are well positioned for use in extensible and elastic components of health and hygiene products, such as the ears, side panels, back and top sheets, waist bands, leg cuffs and closure systems of diapers and adult incontinence products. They are also excellent for use in nonwovens for medical garments, hospital disposables and wipes, and as hot melt and pressure sensitive adhesives in health and hygiene products.”

Invented using INSITE™ Technology -- Dow’s approach to linking the science of catalyst, process and materials together to address customer needs -- INFUSE OBCs offer several distinct attributes versus currently available polyolefin elastomers. These attributes include improved balance of flexibility and high temperature resistance; faster set-up in processing due to higher crystallization temperature; enhanced elastic recovery and compression set properties at both ambient and elevated temperatures; and improved abrasion resistance.

Dow is a leading global supplier of plastics and performance chemicals for the health and hygiene industry, improving comfort and quality of life through innovations in materials science for suppliers and users of diapers, feminine hygiene products, medical disposables, technical nonwovens, wipes and protective garments. Dow’s advanced and comprehensive portfolio includes products which are used to help manufacture water vapor permeable and breathable hygiene films that virtually prevent heat build-up and rash; films, foams, and fibers to produce comfortable and form-fitting products; and light and ultra-efficient absorbent cores, such as polymeric absorbent cores.