Korean petrochemical concern LG Chem has developed a new metallocene grade of polyethylene PEX-a, designed for RAM-extrusion of pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene, according to the official Russian distributor website Ecoplastics.
It is assumed that in 2020 the new brand mXLPE Lucene SL188 will completely replace the previous peroxidation XLPE produced by Korean company – the brand XL1800, produced using the Ziegler-Natta catalyst.
In 2019, the new metallocene brand passes all the necessary tests in the Exova laboratory (formerly Bodycote) in Sweden.
It is assumed that the minimum long-term strength (MRS) of the brand XLPE SL188 will be 9.6 MPa, which roughly corresponds to the level XLPE XL1800. At the same time, a pipe from a new metallocene grade will be of a pronounced bright white color due to a higher resistance to the oxidation process as compared to traditional PEX-a. The full test of the brand SL188 in the Exova laboratory will be completed in September 2019, after which the brand will be available for export, including to Russia.
Earlier it was reported that in April 2018, Ecoplastics and LG Chem agreed on a business strategy for the production and supply of Korean polyolefins in Russia.
South Korean LG Chem is one of the largest chemical companies in the world. The company produces a wide range of products – from petrochemical products to high-tech plastics.