agricultural films - kuraray brochure high res.pdf · for agricultural fi lms 2. unique technology...
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Agricultural Films
Kuraray and EVAL™Kuraray Co., Ltd. is the world leader in EVOH (ethylene vinyl-alcohol copolymer
resins) under the EVAL™ trade name. EVAL™ resins are known for their superior
gas barrier properties and excellent processability. Technological innovation since
1972 has created the world’s widest range of available EVOH grades, suitable for
the production and secondary processing of food packaging, cosmetics, health
care, construction, automotive fuel systems and industrial packaging.
EVAL™ for agricultural fi lms
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Unique technology from Kuraray The use of fumigants is an effective
method to produce high quality
vegetables, fruits and cut flowers.
For decades methyl bromide has been
the most widely used chemical in
the industry as an effective pesticide
and herbicide. The Montreal Protocol
of 1997 declared methyl bromide
as an ozone-depleting substance
and much work has been done on
a global basis to find cost-effective
alternatives. Exemptions for the
use of methyl bromide for critical
use conditions in countries with
developed agricultural practices
have been granted. Methyl bromide
alternatives are less harmful to the
environment but can pose both acute
and chronic health risks to field workers
and nearby communities. For this
reason, mitigation methods to reduce
the consumption of methyl bromide
and its registered alternatives such
as chloropicrin, 1,3-dichloropropene,
methyl iodide, methyl isothiocyanate
have been developed by the industry and
implemented for example by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency.
High-barrier mulching films containing
EVAL™ EVOH allow good crop
productivity while meeting new tighter
regulation.
EVAL™ resins, with their outstanding
gas barrier properties, provide
solutions in:
• fumigation films (for use in broad-
cast, drip or shank applications)
- allow for the safe and effective
use of fumigants
- can be used as a buffer zone credit
in the US
• silage films
- prevent degradation of feed quality
• greenhouse films
- contain carbon dioxide
In addition, EVAL™ EVOH resins can be
fully recycled within existing polyolefin
streams.
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EVAL™ ethylene vinyl-alcohol (EVOH) copolymer resins have gas barrier properties nearly 10,000 times greater than those of an equivalent thickness of low density polyethlyene (LDPE). An EVAL™ layer of only a few microns in a multilayer structure adds a powerful and effective barrier function against gas, odour and chemical substances.
EVAL™ copolymer grades
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Transmission Rates at 20°C (µg/m².hr)**
Technology 38% mol 44% mol PA 6,66 LDPE*
Grade H171 SP292
Methyl bromide < 0.0001 0.0004 47 235
Methyl iodide < 0.0001 0.0002 33 330
Chloropichrin 0.0451 0.183 120 384
Cis 1,3-dichloropropene 0.129 0.428 173 393
Trans 1,3-dichloropropene 0.127 0.479 36 298
Properties of EVAL™ resins in fumigation filmsEVAL™ H171 has a good balance of processability in film extrusion equipment and
fumigant gas barrier. EVAL™ SP292 offers similar barrier properties while providing
easier processability for the production of wide films typical of some agricultural
applications.
General gas barrier properties of EVAL™ resins (32 mol % grade)
Structure: LLDPE / Adhesive / Barrier / Adhesive / LLDPE = 15 / 3 / 4 / 3 / 15 µm
EVAL™ resins offer outstanding fumigant barrier properties, superior to those of
other polymers.
GasGTR (cm³.20µm/m².day.atm)
Condition 0%RH at 23°C
Oxygen O2 0.18
Nitrogen N2 0.017
Carbon dioxide CO2 0.59
Methane CH4 0.4
Ethylene C2H4 0.1
* LDPE sample was a 40µm monolayer film
**testing by the University of California Davis, Plant Sciences Department (Nov. 2007)
PA 6,66: Polyamide 6,66 copolymer
LDPE: Low density polyethylene
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Fumigant efficacyCompared to other barrier fumigation films, the extremely low permeation
of gases and fumigants, through EVAL™ EVOH-containing films, led the
agricultural industry to create the term TIF™ (totally impermeable film).
Field trials to measure short term soil fumigant retention comparing TIF™ to
LDPE in strawberry plots showed a significant fumigant retention advantage.*
Field evaluation of EVAL™- based agricultural films
* testing by the University of California Davis, Plant Sciences Department
(Sep. 07 & Oct. 07)
* testing by the University of California Davis, Plant Sciences Department
(Sep. 07 & Oct. 07)
VOC emissionsThe main incentive for the adoption of TIF™ in the industry
is environmental. The chart shows the benefit of using TIF™
in comparison to standard LDPE tarp and other mitigation
methods such as field irrigation and the use of fumigant
neutralizers. The initial emissions shortly after application
relates directly to buffer zone emissions while the total area
under the curve represents the total mass loss which can be
correlated to township emission caps.
1,3 Dichloropropene Soil Retention
Hours after application
Co
nce
ntr
ati
on
(p
pm
)
-500
0
500
1000
1500
2000
18016014012010080604020
Methyl Iodide Soil Retention
Hours after application
Co
nce
ntr
ati
on
(p
pm
)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
18016014012010080604020
= TIF™ = LDPE
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
12010080604020
Ch
loro
pic
rin
co
nce
ntr
ati
on
(µ
g/m
³)
Time (hours)
TIF™
Standard tarp
Standard tarp + water treatment
8x
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EVAL™ for other agricultural applicationsWhy use EVAL™ in agrochemical application:
For extended shelf life and maximum quality assurance for your filling products.
• Prevents oxygen and other gases from penetrating
• Highly effective barrier against oils, greases and solvents (e.g. alcohol)
• Protects the filling goods from oxidation, vitamin loss and microbial infestation
• Odour and flavour barrier
• Ideally suited to nitrogen blanketing
Typical applications• Agrochemical packaging bottles
• IBC
Typical structures HDPE / reg / tie / EVAL™ / tie / HDPE
HDPE / regrind / tie / EVAL™
EVAL™ resins are recyclable and also suitable for safe energy recovery. They help
conserve resources at all stages of the product life cycle and help reduce waste.
The development of structures for optimized agricultural use is supported by
local technical development teams in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
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EVAL™ the world’s leading EVOH
Europe
EVAL Europe nv (Antwerp, Belgium)
Capacity: 24,000 tons/year
Europe’s first and largest EVOH production facility
Americas
EVAL Company of America (Pasadena, Texas, USA)
Capacity: 35,000 tons/year
The world’s largest EVOH production facility
Asia-Pacific
Kuraray Co. Ltd. (Okayama, Japan)
Capacity: 10,000 tons/year
The world’s first EVOH production facility
NOTICE
The information, specifications, procedures, methods and recommen-
dations herein are presented in good faith, are believed to be accurate
and reliable, but may well be incomplete and/or not applicable to all
conditions or situations that may exist or occur. No representation,
guarantee or warranty is made as to the completeness of said infor-
mation, specifications, procedures, methods and recommendations
or that the application or use of any of the same will avoid hazards,
accidents, losses, damages or injury of any kind to persons or
property or that the same will not infringe patents of others or give
desired results. Readers are cautioned to satisfy themselves as to the
suitability of said information, specifications, procedures, methods
and recommendations for the purpose intended prior to use.
Contact
EVAL Europe nv
Haven 1053
Nieuwe Weg 1 - Bus 10
B-2070 Zwijndrecht (Antwerp)
Belgium
Telephone +32 3 250 97 33
Fax +32 3 250 97 45
www.eval.eu
EVAL™ resins are produced worldwide under unified Kuraray product and quality specifications.
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