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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TokyoOkayama