New multilayer film performance prediction tool by NOVA Chemicals

NOVA Chemicals Corporation, a top PE supplier in the Americas, has recently enhanced its BONFIRESM Multilayer Property Predictor software. The web-based tool is nothing other than the updated version of NOVA's Multilayer Property Predictor (MPP). The tool enables film producers to predict product structure performance for films with up to nine layers.

So what has been updated? The new version uses new calculations, structure templates, reports for offline reference, plus an expanded polymer database. These new features help saving both time and resources when working on new film structures and tasks.

Dan Ward, technical service expert at NOVA Chemicals, commented on the update: "Predictive tools like BONFIRE allow our users to develop new structures more efficiently. We're continuously developing new calculations and features for our interactive tools to help our customers deliver new products to market faster and more easily."

BONFIRE tool, first introduced two years ago, is free for NOVA Chemicals' film customers and partners. The software provides a solid interactive platform for simulating film structure. The choice of structural design options in the simulator is wider than feasible through physical trials. In the end, new applications may be launched more rapidly and cost-effectively.

The new features of the updated BONFIRE include user-friendly interface for constructing potential film structures. Customers now can select any polymers from NOVA Chemicals, as well as non-PE resins used traditionally in multilayer structures. Moreover, film producers are now able to assess bending stiffness, translating to converting line speeds downstream. The next few months will see machine direction (MD), tear and penetration energy calculations added. Common structure types are saveable as templates for further use. Last but not least, the enhanced BONFIRE lets users export their data on a predicted film structure as a PDF file.

The customers of NOVA Chemicals enjoy assistance in end-to-end applications development, all the way from discovery to commercialization. Promising structures simulated in BONFIRE can be readily tested at production and conversion thank to NOVA's Centre for Performance Applications in Calgary (AB, Canada). This cuts down the need for using converters' assets for these tests.