Borealis and Borouge launch PO-based solar encapsulant films

Austrian Chemicals and innovative plastics firm UAE-based Borealis and polyolefins manufacturer Borouge, leading providers of innovative, value-creating plastics solutions, introduced two new encapsulant film types based on two new Quentys polyolefin (PO) grades. The companies launched Quentys in 2017 as the umbrella brand for solar grades and products. Borealis Quentys PO encapsulant film now improves the operational reliability of photovoltaic (PV) modules throughout product lifetime, offering  better cost efficiency and a sustainable solution for PV modules.

Two types of Borealis PO encapsulant film are included in the initial launch, namely, BPO8828F, the front or back encapsulant film in all types of solar modules; and BPO8828WH, the white reflective back encapsulant film for dual glass or standard modules.

According to the companies’ press statement, Borealis PO encapsulant film can help optimise PV module production, resulting in lower costs per watts peak (Wp)  on the bases of up to 50% reduction in lamination cycle in PV module production; lower investment costs required for increasing output capacity of module production; and better spread of fixed costs across more modules, with lower per unit module costs.

Borealis PO encapsulant film is the second major application based on Quentys to be launched this year, and follows the introduction in May of Icosolar CPO 3G, a co-extruded polypropylene (PP) solar backsheet developed in partnership with Austrian-headquartered manufacturer of backsheets for solar modules.

Borealis Quentys PO encapsulant film will be available to customers around the globe as of the beginning of third quarter of 2018.