K 2004 - the largest exhibition for the plastics industry, particularly polymer industry, is to be held in Dusseldorf from October 20th, 2004 until 27th October, 2004. K 2004 is the place where the global leaders and decision makers from the plastics industry will converge to see and absorb new ideas that they can profitably use to expand their businesses. All the exhibitors generally reserve their best innovative ideas for this spectacular exhibition. In fact, no other exhibition in the World can showcase so much new at one time, as what we generally see at the K exhibition held every 3rd year.

Our readers have been asking us to provide some guidelines for them to plan out their visits to exhibitors and achieve their objectives to learn about the new innovations that they can absorb in sustaining their business in the present environment where prices have sky rocketed. This article covers the innovations in polymeric materials.

Polyethylenes

Polyethylenes; expected to grow at about 5% from the level of about 55 million tons continue to witness innovations. These innovations are particularly in the areas of the younger and fastest growing member LLDPE. Some of the newer developments that are likely to interest you are:

	Single site catalyzed LLDPE with uni modal as well as bi modal molecular weight distributions. The uni modal grades have been tailored to provide better shrink properties or higher stretching ratios or lower migration so that they can be used for food packaging. The bi modal grades are designed to enhance the processability. Both of these types of grades can be seen at the stall of Borealis.
	Nexxstar new grades developed by ExxonMobil will also be shown for excellent stretchability. ExxonMobil will demonstrate the use of Nexxstar grades for stretch hood.
	New grades of Exceed m-LLDPE with very low gel count will be displayed for the purpose of food packaging and other clear applications.
	Borealis will demonstrate grafted MDPE for silane cross-linked pipe that would find applications in hot and cold water distribution.
	Borealis will also exhibit a new super cure cross-linkable MDPE compound with excellent purity. This new grade would find applications in wire and cable.
	Borealis will also demonstrate a new grade of HDPE with bi modal molecular weight distribution designed with a primary objective for developing stronger caps/closures to withstand the pressures of carbonated beverages.

Polypropylene

PP, the largest single polymer with almost 35 million tons of global consumption continues its ride on the development front. Some of the newer developments that you would enjoy seeing at the exhibition are:

	Borealis will demonstrate newer film grades designed for medical pouches as well as blister packaging. These medical grades have very low migration characteristics.
	With an aim of increasing the market of OPP bottle, Borealis's new grades have been designed to widen the processability.
	Dow has improved the melt strength of its Inspire single site catalyzed PP.
	ExxonMobil will showcase the newer Metallocene based PP grades for a variety of applications.
	While significant development has already been shown in the earlier K fairs about the upward blown film by several leading suppliers, Borealis's new grade to be demonstrated at this fair is focussed on superior clarity.

Polypropylene

PP, the largest single polymer with almost 35 million tons of global consumption continues its ride on the development front. Some of the newer developments that you would enjoy seeing at the exhibition are:

	Borealis will demonstrate newer film grades designed for medical pouches as well as blister packaging. These medical grades have very low migration characteristics.
	With an aim of increasing the market of OPP bottle, Borealis's new grades have been designed to widen the processability.
	Dow has improved the melt strength of its Inspire single site catalyzed PP.
	ExxonMobil will showcase the newer Metallocene based PP grades for a variety of applications.
	While significant development has already been shown in the earlier K fairs about the upward blown film by several leading suppliers, Borealis's new grade to be demonstrated at this fair is focussed on superior clarity.

TPE & Elastomer/ Plastomer

Ethylene and propylene based elastomers, plastomers and TPE are gaining greater market acceptance. Significant developments have been taking place in this area. You will see some of the exciting developments at K 2004:

	Basell Polyolefins, the largest PP producer in the World has expanded the grade range of its Catalloy process with Softell. As the name suggests these new series of grades have excellent softness and can mimic leather as well as fabric in the finish. Some of the newer applications that can be viewed at K 2004 fair are: hygienic film, auto interiors and film produced by calendaring process.
	Dow has developed Versify ethylene-propylene plastomers that have broad crystallinity distribution.
	Advanced Elastomers has developed an extra soft grade of Santoprene.
	ExxonMobil will showcase a new specialty elastomer grade called Vistamaxx for non woven application.

ETP

ETP has an excellent growth potential and is definitely likely to showcase more innovations compared to the large volume products that we have covered above. It is extremely difficult to list all the new developments, we have made attempt to list a few interesting innovations.

	New generation Polyamide 6 will be showcased at the stall of BASF. These grades will have lower cost and yet provide high temperature resistance.
	BASF will demonstrate the new Polyamide 6 having panitless metallic effect.
	Rhodia will showcase the large roto moulded tanks from a newer grade of Polyamide 6.
	Dupont will display newer grades of Polyacetal that will have enhanced resistance to diesel and fuels. These products are ideally designed for fuel reservoir.
	To meet the new limit of 10 ppm of emission stipulated by VDA 275 German standard, the new grades developed by Dupont will meet the requirements.
	BASF will display a high flow grade of PBT based on nano particle. The viscosity of this new grade is almost 50 % compared to the conventional PBT.
	Ticona will demonstrate a new grade of PPS for blow moulding.