ExxonMobil, one of the largest publicly traded international energy companies, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world's growing energy needs. The company recently launched its new ExxonMobil Signature Polymers portfolio brand, which focuses on delivering best-in-class service and partnerships within the polymers industry. ExxonMobil Signature Polymers unifies ExxonMobil's polyolefin products under a single brand, simplifying portfolio navigation and promoting enhanced collaboration across the value chain.

The ExxonMobil Signature Polymers team collaborated with Inplac to help them make stronger heavy duty sacks without having to increase the thickness of the film. Together, they sought to improve performance while keeping the same easy processing, strength, and stability, especially for 50kg bags used in demanding markets like agriculture and construction.

To achieve this, ExxonMobil Signature Polymers developed a new film formulation using Exceed™ Stiff+ m 0926 resin. This high-performance material improved tear and puncture resistance while maintaining processability and film stiffness. It also enhanced sack durability and load stability, providing better protection during handling. The formulation simplified production by meeting multiple market needs with a single efficient film structure, boosting manufacturing efficiency and expanding business opportunities.

“We previously required at least one formulation per market,” stated Roberto Marcondes de Mattos, co-founder of Inplac. “Through our collaboration with ExxonMobil, we have one formulation meeting different specific requirements, for multiple markets. This innovation has strengthened our market position and opened new business opportunities with a single packaging solution.”

Key results include:

• Film thickness: Developed a 102.5-micron heavy duty sack film with improved mechanical properties and higher stiffness.
• Tear resistance: Achieved superior machine direction tear strength and enhanced creep performance compared to the incumbent solution.
• Bag drop durability: Sacks survived 10 drops from 3 meters and a 9-meter drop test without failure.
• Process simplification: Enabled one formulation to meet diverse end-use requirements across multiple markets.
• Production capacity: Inplac operates four sealing-cutting machines 24/7 and will add two more machines using the new formulation.

Through collaboration with ExxonMobil Signature Polymers, Inplac now manufactures heavy duty sacks that offer improved durability and more efficient production.

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