The discovery of catalytic chain shuttling chemistry for polyolefins is driving the creation of entirely new polymeric materials.  These materials are being used as unique alternatives to more complex and costly polymers.   They are also enabling entirely new applications for polymer blends and multi-layer engineered structures.  First, a multiblock polyolefin thermoplastic elastomer was made by combining a high melting polyethylene homopolymer block with a flexible, low Tg ethylene copolymer elastomer block.  This thermoplastic elastomer was commercialized in 2008.   A subsequent olefin block copolymer with a crystalline polyethylene copolymer segment and a crystalline isotactic polypropylene  segment (EP-iPP) was commercialized in 2014.  The polyethylene-polypropylene block copolymer is the ideal compatibilizer for the two largest volume polymers manufactured in the world.  Applications for olefin block copolymers include polymer toughening agents, smart packaging, adhesives, fashion fibers, medical products, building & construction uses, footwear, and automotive materials.

Applications of olefin block copolymers

251st National Meeting (2016)

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