PPO containers go from freezer to microwave.

A new family of PPO-based resins is said to offer the balanced stiffness and toughness needed for freezer-to-microwave food packaging. Noryl PKN grades from GE Plastics, Pittsfield, Mass., can be blended with PS to tailor cost-performance for specific uses. PPO-styrenic blends are positioned to replace PP and CPET in hinged food containers, clamshell trays, lids, and foamed packaging. GE's materials are FDA-compliant and come in translucent and opaque versions. Translucent grades 4752 and 4766 are aimed at clear trays and lidstock. The first is a high-heat version with Vicat softening temperature of 345 F and notched Izod impact of 1.8 ft-lb/in. Grade 4766 is a high-flow (25 MFR) version for translucent food and electronics packaging. It has a lower Vicat softening point (257 F) and notched Izod value (0.5 ft-lb/in.).

For opaque food packaging, grades 4736 and 4765 have notched Izod values of 1.8 and 1.6 ft-lb/in., respectively. Grade 4736 is a high-heat product with high ESCR, suiting it to packaging foods with high fat and for content. Noryl PKN 4717 is tailored for extruded foamed packaging. Tel: [phone]. www.geplastics.com