LyondellBasel invests in state-of-the-art masterbatch testing at their Technical Center in Akron, Ohio

Houston, TX – LyondellBasell installs a state-of-the-art KARO® 5.0 laboratory stretching machine from Brückner Maschinenbau at the LyondellBasell (LYB) Technical Center in Akron, Ohio. The KARO® 5.0 will greatly enhance the company’s ability to develop and test masterbatch solutions for various oriented film applications.

The advanced technology of the KARO® 5.0 will enable LYB to:

Troubleshoot and test masterbatch solutions for diverse oriented film applications with greater accuracy and efficiency.

Create a closer match to masterbatch materials in real-world production processes, significantly reducing the time it takes to bring new products to market.

Improve the speed-to-market process by allowing customers to quickly identify and select the optimal masterbatch for their specific needs.

“The KARO® 5.0 represents a significant investment in our research and development capabilities,” said Tiago Piccoli, LYB director of APS PAD for Consumer & Industrial Markets in the Americas. “This advanced technology will allow us to accelerate the development of new and improved masterbatch solutions, ultimately helping our customers bring their products to market faster and with greater confidence.”

The KARO® 5.0 offers several cutting-edge features, including:

Multi-cast film capabilities that enable the testing of a wider range of masterbatch materials.

Stretch capabilities in both the machine direction (MD) and transverse direction (TD) to accurately simulate real-world production conditions.

Monitoring of various material characteristics like tension, elongation, torque, temperature, and thickness to ensure optimal performance and quality control.

“The addition of the KARO® 5.0 reinforces our technical leadership and commitment to innovation in the masterbatch industry,” said Chuck Hampton, LYB director of Masterbatch and Colors U.S. & Canada. “Complementing our testing assets in Europe, bringing this advanced technology to the Americas can offer our global customers access to the latest and most innovative masterbatch solutions.”

The new equipment supports the company’s Advanced Polymer Solutions (APS) and Olefins and Polyolefins (O&P) business segments in the Americas. Testing is already underway for a variety of applications including protective films, food packaging and more. With this new capability, LYB is creating solutions for a better tomorrow.