Delivering Increased Benefits to Greenhouse Films

Iranpolymer/Baspar Polyethylene (PE) films are commonly used in agricultural applications for many different purposes. They bring advantages to food production by helping increase crop yields, protecting crops from adverse conditions and reducing the need for water and chemicals in the production process. There are several different agricultural applications where PE films have an advantage, and today Baystar is focused on bringing Borstar performance resins to greenhouse films used in crop production. This is an area that is expected to see continued growth between now and 2028.
Borstar technology delivers unique advantages to greenhouse film applications due to its unique molecular architecture. Borstar technology relies on a broad bimodal molecular weight distribution of polyethylene copolymers to enhance performance and processability of material, making a film that is readily processed on film equipment and mechanically strong and tough to provide enhanced crop protection. These variables grant engineers and product development technicians significant design freedom to create products over a wide density and molecular weight range, allowing for precise performance of the material for a particular application. Borstar resin provides better durability with increased toughness, environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) and weatherability. Because of the improved processability and mechanical properties of Borstar resins, demanding agricultural applications can gain from a longer service life of the film, reducing the total carbon footprint of the entire agricultural operation.
Additionally, the unique optical properties of Borstar, which are also derived from its molecular design, bring a natural ability to diffuse light while maintaining high transmission rates. The matte appearance of the film naturally diffuses sunlight across the interior of the greenhouse and does not tend to reflect light the way a clear film would.
This performance is achieved without the use of additional fillers or other additives to diffuse or absorb the light. This design allows the maximum use of sunlight for the plants in the greenhouse without overexposing them and keeping the climate within control limits to improve crop yield and quality. Good light distribution in the greenhouse allows the crops better conditions for photosynthesis and microclimate development. Additionally, the PE film and greenhouse structure protect from too much direct sunlight, high winds, extreme temperatures and variable rainfall. These types of greenhouse films are suitable for crops such as vegetables (including non-native varieties- tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers), lettuce, melons, flowers and other crops that thrive under consistent conditions.
This design allows the maximum use of sunlight for the plants in the greenhouse without overexposing them and keeping the climate within control limits to improve crop yield and quality.




Conclusion:
Several case studies have shown how the advanced optical and mechanical properties of Borstar films can significantly benefit agricultural and greenhouse applications. Increases in yields, decreases in production time and ease of use and durability are all inherent advantages of this technology.
Products like Borstar FB2230 are well positioned to serve this growing market segment and to continue to bring performance to a demanding application that is critical to our modern supply chain infrastructure. PE resins with unique and tailorable molecular designs for demanding applications continue to push the boundaries of what is possible and help deliver efficient and effective solutions to the market.
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