Eastman, Nanocor To Develop Nanocomposite For PET

Eastman Chemical Co. and Nanocor Inc. are to develop thermoplastic nanocomposites for the PET packaging market under a new agreement signed recently. Thermoplastic nanocomposites contain clays that are separated into tiny particles. When dispersed into resins, these clay particles could potentially improve strength, barrier properties and heat stability while maintaining clarity.

Greg O. Nelson, vice-president of polymers technology at Eastman, says the Company has been working with thermoplastic nanocomposite technology since 1995 to explore ways to improve packaging made from PET. "Improvements in PET packaging through better and more specialized resins will continue to drive rapid growth in this industry," Nelson believes.

Nanocor, a wholly owned subsidiary of AMCOL International Corp., was created in 1995 to develop and produce clays, called Nanomersr, that are especially designed for use in thermoplastic nanocomposites. Eastman has manufacturing capability and polymer technology for incorporating clays into resins while Nanocor has expertise in clay refinement and patented technology for clay modification and use in thermoplastic nanocomposites. Together, the two companies hope to develop the first thermoplastic nanocomposite for rigid packaging.

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