12 May 2011
Sistema Adds Final Touch to Consumer Appeal of PP Storage Containers with Crystal Clarity of Milliken Millad® NX™ 8000 Clarifier
Ghent, Belgium – When Sistema Plastics Limited upgraded its line of ultra-clear KLIP IT® stackable food storage containers, the New Zealand-based company used lead free, bisphenol A (BPA) free, virgin polypropylene (PP) resin from LyondellBasell Australia. The new containers feature exceptional brilliant, glass-like clarity provided by Millad® NX™ 8000 advanced clarifier from Milliken & Company, enabling Sistema to meet consumer demands and global regulatory requirements for high purity and safety.
“Sistema has always led the industry by understanding and delivering what consumers want, and today, they are looking for attractive, high-quality and safe products for the home,” said Allin Russell, marketing director, Sistema. “When Milliken showed us what their Millad® NX™ 8000 clarifier could do for polypropylene, we knew that we had found the final piece of our value proposition. Polypropylene clarified with Millad® NX™ 8000 is dramatically clearer, brighter and glossier than our previous material. When you put them side by side, the difference is astounding.”
In addition to its aesthetic benefits, Millad® NX™ 8000 clarifier provides processing advantages to Sistema. Because the clarified PP can be processed at a lower temperature (210C vs. 245C), it cuts cycle time by up to 10 percent. Higher productivity and lower energy usage means lower system costs, enabling Sistema to deliver higher quality to consumers at the same price point.
Sistema, which markets its products through upscale retailers around the world, has received positive feedback from buyers. “The best way to describe their reaction is ‘stunned’,” said Russell. “They had no idea that polypropylene could be so clear and beautiful.” The company is experiencing double-digit growth in its home markets of New Zealand and Australia, where the products are already on store shelves, and there is strong interest from U.S. retailers.
“Our collaboration with Sistema and LyondellBasell Australia on this project has resulted in a great success,” noted Brian Burkhart, global marketing director, PP Clarifiers, Milliken Chemical. “In addition to our industry-leading Millad clarifier technology, Milliken provided a full range of support services to ensure outstanding results. We are continuing our work with Sistema as the company converts its colored products to Millad-clarified polypropylene. This project is a perfect example of the significant value Millad® NX™ 8000 can deliver to all stakeholders – resin manufacturers, molders, retailers and consumers.”
Reader enquiries
Milliken & CompanyVeerle de Wolf
Ham 18-24
B-9000 GENT
Belgium
Notes for editors
About Sistema Plastics Limited
Founded in 1990 in Auckland, New Zealand, Sistema Plastics Limited began as a company focused on recycling and manufacturing plastic coat hangers. Responding to customer demands and market opportunities, Sistema developed and began manufacturing plastic drink bottles, lunch products and food storage containers for the consumer market. Sistema's focus is on maximizing quality at a competitive price with a unique twist to design & development. All Sistema's manufacturing is done at its state of the art, 270,000 sq. ft. unit, using the latest robotic technology. There are more than 300 people responsible for design concepts, production, quality control, packaging and shipping.
About Milliken
Milliken is an innovation company that has been exploring, discovering, and creating ways to enhance people’s lives since 1865. Our community of innovators has developed one of the larger collections of United States patents held by a private U.S. company. With expertise across a breadth of disciplines including specialty chemical, floor covering, and performance materials, we work around the world every day to add true value to people’s lives, improve health and safety, and make this world more sustainable. For more information, visit www.milliken.com.
About Milliken Chemical
Milliken Chemical, a division of Milliken & Company, is a leading global supplier of coatings, specialty chemicals and advanced additive and colorant technologies used in paints, petroleum, plastics, textiles and fibers for a broad range of consumer and industrial applications. These innovative specialty chemicals have been developed to help customers manufacture safe, high-quality products for greater differentiation and growth. Milliken Chemical is also committed to the ongoing development of new generations of sustainable high-performance additives to help customers address tough environmental challenges. Milliken Chemical, with application and development centers around the world, is well positioned to meet the needs of its customers.
For more information about Milliken Chemical, please visit www.millikenchemical.com and www.clearpp.com.
KLIP IT is a registered trademark of Sistema Plastics Limited.
Millad is a registered trademark of Milliken & Company.
NX is a trademark of Milliken & Company
Related images
Sistema Plastics Limited Food Storage Containers Clarified with Milliken’s Millad® NX™ 8000.
(Photos Milliken, MKPR076, Copyright© 2011 Milliken & Company, All rights reserved)
New Zealand’s Sistema Plastics Limited has announced its upgraded line of polypropylene (PP) food storage containers that feature brilliant, glass-like clarity provided by Millad® NX™ 8000 advanced clarifier from Milliken & Company.
Editorial enquiries
Veerle de Wolf
Milliken & Company
Josina van der Velden
EMG