A. Schulman Expands Commercialization of POLYBATCH® DUL Matte Masterbatch Products for Soft-Touch Packaging and Consumer Applications
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AKRON, Ohio -- A. Schulman, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: SHLM) today announced additional commercialization of its POLYBATCH® DUL matte compounds for satin-like, soft-touch packaging and consumer applications for the European market.
The POLYBATCH® DUL products enable OEMs and plastic converters of flexible and rigid products to differentiate their products with a luxurious, high-quality look and feel.
"We are particularly proud of how we are able to bring these POLYBATCH® innovations to the market, an effort that has been led by our European Technical Team, using the state-of-the-art pilot extrusion line in our Belgium facility," said Bernard Rzepka, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of A. Schulman, Europe. "These masterbatch products can be used with both polypropylene and polyethylene resins, and are running on a variety of processing equipment, including blown/cast film, blow molding and thermoformed sheet."
Primary features and benefits of POLYBATCH® DUL compounds include:
-- Satin-like, soft touch for rigid and flexible packaging, which improves shelf appearance and product differentiation
-- Consistent, high-quality surface for commercial applications utilizing high-speed film converting equipment
-- Cost-effective alternative to surface lacquers, inorganic fillers or the need for embossing equipment
-- FDA and European approvals for food packaging (with specific grades which are approved for food packaging by the FDA and EC)
-- Excellent printability when using flexo inks, and conventional- and UV-cured offset inks
"We're enthusiastic about the global potential for these innovative compounds," said Paul Boulier, A. Schulman's Chief Marketing Officer. "Because these proprietary formulations have been developed with large-scale conversion processes and equipment in mind, we can provide OEMs and converters with superior package aesthetics and performance to satisfy a large addressable market in Europe, the Americas and eventually Asia."
Current applications in flexible packaging, in both mono- and co-extruded structures, include pouches, toothpaste tubes and margarine wraps. Selected products are also designed for rigid packaging, such as blow-molded bottles for foods, detergents and toiletries. Thermoformed containers are also being produced commercially, including for dairy products such as yogurt and other products. Other applications for POLYBATCH® DUL products include films for use in adhesive tapes, labels and protective films for numerous consumer and industrial markets. More product information can be found at www.aschulman.com/polybatchdul.
About A. Schulman, Inc.
Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, A. Schulman is a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and resins. These materials are used in a variety of consumer, industrial, automotive and packaging applications. The Company employs about 2,900 people and has 37 manufacturing facilities in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. On April 30, 2010, the Company completed its acquisition of ICO, Inc., a global manufacturer of specialty resins and concentrates for rotomolding and a provider of specialty polymer services. A. Schulman reported revenues of $1.3 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, and ICO reported revenues of $300 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. Additional information about A. Schulman can be found at www.aschulman.com.
CONTACT: Jennifer K. Beeman, Director of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, A. Schulman, Inc., 3550 W. Market St., Akron, Ohio 44333, +1-330-668-7346, Jennifer_Beeman@us.aschulman.com
