Ciba snags BP Amoco packaging additive technology

June 9, 2000
BP Amoco Chemicals, a unit of BP Amoco PLC, announced Thursday the sale of its commercial product, Amosorb 2000 oxygen absorber, to Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Tarrytown, NY. Amosorb 2000 is an inorganic-based oxygen absorber developed for use in certain polyolefin packaging, namely polyethylene and polypropylene. The sale excludes BP Amoco Chemicals' development product, Amosorb 3000, which targets polyester packaging applications.


BP Amoco Chemicals, a unit of BP Amoco PLC, announced Thursday the sale of its commercial product, Amosorb 2000 oxygen absorber, to Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Tarrytown, NY.

Amosorb 2000 is an inorganic-based oxygen absorber developed for use in certain polyolefin packaging, namely polyethylene and polypropylene. The sale excludes BP Amoco Chemicals' development product, Amosorb 3000, which targets polyester packaging applications.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals will immediately assume global responsibilities for all sales and marketing of Amosorb 2000 under the Ciba Shelfplus name as part of its strategy to expand the range of additive technologies and products it offers to the packaging industry.

Ada Nielsen, BP Amoco Chemicals manager of commercial development, says Amosorb 2000 "is a logical extension to Ciba Specialty Chemicals existing technology and product line which will increase the availability of the inorganic oxygen absorber, Amosorb 2000, directly to the packaging converter." In addition, the extensive research and development capabilities of Ciba Specialty Chemicals will help support end users seeking viable packaging solutions, says BP Amoco.

Amosorb 2000, an inorganic oxygen absorber developed by BP Amoco Chemicals, actually absorbs oxygen in food packaging. Oxygen in the headspace of a package accelerates food degradation, resulting in loss of freshness, appearance, taste, and nutrition.

The oxygen absorbing capability of Amosorb 2000 not only helps preserve product freshness, but also can extend shelf life, says BP Amoco. This packaging concept won both a Dupont Award and the Flexible Packaging Association's Presidents Award for innovation.

Kent Alexander, BP Amoco Chemicals manager of market development packaging, says that BP Amoco Chemicals has retained the organic Amosorb 3000 oxygen absorber for polyester applications. "As the world's largest supplier of raw materials for making polyester, Amosorb 3000 remains a critical part of BP Amoco Chemicals' strategy of developing technologies that enable polyester packaging to capture new applications traditionally served by glass and aluminum cans," says Alexander.