Empower Materials of New Castle Delaware has developed a new breakthrough catalyst to synthesize Polyethylene carbonate (PEC), known as QPAC 25. The new catalyst provides the ability to make higher molecular weight QPAC 25 Polyethylene carbonate that is also purer in quality. This catalyst system transforms ethylene oxide and CO2 into polyethylene carbonate.
QPAC 25 PEC plastic exhibits very good oxygen barrier properties. This property makes it attractive as a barrier layer for food packaging. The higher molecular weight and improved purity enhances the barrier property. It also should improve performance in the extruder. Additionally, since QPAC 25 requires 50% less petrochemicals it is more environmentally friendly than other barrier materials such as PVDC.
This new catalyst system will allow Empower Materials to serve our customers better by improving the overall product quality and offering a QPAC 25 more suitable for barrier film applications. We are very excited to have recently introduced this new process into commercial production.