Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most widely traded commodity thermoplastics. For buyers and converters, the critical distinction is not simply 'polypropylene' but the grade: a combination of polymer type, melt flow rate (MFR), additive package and intended processing route. Ordering the wrong grade can mean machine downtime, rejected production runs or material that simply will not process on the intended line.
Homopolymer vs copolymer
PP homopolymer is produced from propylene monomer alone. It is rigid, with good chemical resistance and the highest strength-to-weight ratio of the polyolefins. PP copolymer incorporates ethylene — random copolymer for improved clarity and lower sealing temperatures, and impact (block) copolymer for toughness at low and ambient temperatures.
The raffia reference grade: T30S
T30S is the industry shorthand for a homopolymer raffia grade with a melt flow rate around 3.0 g/10 min (230 °C / 2.16 kg). It is the workhorse resin for woven sacks, raffia tape, big bags and industrial packaging. Because T30S-type grades are produced by many manufacturers around the world, buyers typically specify the application and MFR rather than a single producer — and verify each shipment against the manufacturer's technical data sheet.
| Application | Type | Typical MFR (g/10 min) | Typical form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raffia / woven bags | Homopolymer | ~ 2.5 – 4.0 | Pellets |
| Injection moulding | Homo / impact copolymer | ~ 3 – 35 | Pellets |
| BOPP / cast film | Homopolymer | ~ 2 – 8 | Pellets |
| Fibre / nonwoven | Homopolymer | ~ 12 – 35 | Pellets |
| Thermoforming | Homopolymer / random | ~ 1.5 – 4 | Pellets |
| Pipe / heavy sheet | Impact copolymer | ~ 0.3 – 1.5 | Pellets |
What to specify in an RFQ
For an accurate quotation, converters and traders should specify: homopolymer or copolymer; target MFR and test condition; application and processing method; required packaging (25 kg bags or jumbo bags); destination and incoterm; and any producer/equivalence requirements. BNM Petroleum matches enquiries to available producing sources and supplies TDS, SDS and typical COA on request.