What is the difference between POP and POE?

2024-04-08
In a nutshell: There is no fundamental difference between POP and POE; they differ only in their copolymer content. Compared to POE, POP offers superior performance but comes at a higher cost and is typically used in High-performance applications.

1. Similarities and differences between POP and POE

Similarities between POP and POE

There is no essential difference between POP and POE, except for the comonomer content. So you can't tell the difference between POP and POE by looking at it.
Most POE or POP are based on ethylene and are copolymerized with octene (8C), hexene (6C) or butene (4C).
Polyolefin plastomers (POP) are based on ethylene or propylene as the main polymerization unit, and α-olefins (mainly α-olefins with 4 to 8 carbons, such as 1-butene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene) is a copolymer obtained by polymerizing comonomers.

Differences between POP and POE

Generally, the POE comonomer content is higher than 20%, and the POP comonomer content is less than 20%.

2. Differences in POP and POE applications

Due to the difference in copolymerization monomer content, POP with higher copolymerization monomer content will have a higher density than POE. As a result, POP offers more stable performance

2.1 POP Application Areas

  • POP has high toughness and tear resistance and is often used in durable goods applications or as a base polymer material to be blended with other materials to improve the flow and flexibility of resin materials during processing;
  • Due to its low heat sealing temperature and adhesive properties, it is commonly used in hot melt adhesives, sanitary areas, heat sealing materials and other applications.
Common application scenarios such as:
  • Food packaging films，POP materials offer superior heat-sealing properties, puncture resistance, and optical properties
  • Films for hygiene and health products, Due to its soft texture and high strength, POP is suitable for use in the production of baby diaper liners, sanitary napkin backing films, and wet wipe packaging films.
  • POP can be blended with PP to improve the flexibility and low-temperature impact resistance of the PP material.
  • Due to its low heat-sealing temperature, excellent sealing performance, and high chemical stability, POP material can also be used as a substitute for PP in medical device packaging or pharmaceutical blister packaging.
application of POP

2.2 POE Application Areas

POE plastic is a kind of polyolefin thermoplastic elastomer material, after the applied external force is removed, it will return to the original state, which shows that POE plastic has excellent toughness, and is often used in the modification of rubber and plastic.
  • Wires and cables. POE material can also be used as the protective cover of cables and wires due to its good insulation, environmental stress cracking resistance, high temperature resistance and fire resistance.
  • Toughening modifier. POE material has good compatibility with polyolefin plastics, so it can be used as a toughening agent, which is widely used in the modification of PE and PP, and the impact resistance of PP material with the addition of POE plastic has been effectively enhanced.
  • Sports Shoe Materials. POE materials can also be mixed with EVA materials using foaming technology, the production of shoe soles, mouse pads, car cushions and luggage lining.

3. Our recommended POE and POP materials

Luoyang Baiyou - POE supplier with 20+ years of experience in manufacturing plastic products, recommends the following brands of Polyolefin elastomer

DOW Chemical holds an absolute monopoly in the POE market. Its ENGAGE and INFUSE (OBS material) POE products have a wide range of applications, spanning films, automotive components, cables, as well as recycled and bio-based POE materials, and can meet virtually any requirement you may have for POE materials.

Vistamaxx and Exact are series of polyolefin elastomer materials produced by ExxonMobil. As one of the leading manufacturers of POE materials, the company has a well-established supply system that ensures a long-term, stable supply of POE materials. The POE materials it produces offer exceptional performance advantages in the film and packaging sectors.
The TAFMER PAO series of polyolefin elastomers, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals of Japan, are a prime example of high-end POE applications. They offer exceptional flexibility and transparency, and perform particularly well in automotive sealing and high-end packaging films.

The Lucene POE material series, produced by South Korea’s LG Chem, offers exceptional value for money and holds a significant competitive edge in Asian markets (particularly China and Southeast Asia), South America, Russia, and many developing countries 

References and Notes

  1. Mitsui Tafmer ,"High-Performance Resin-Modified Elastomers-Tafmer", Mitsui chemical group, 30/06/2026
  2. ExxonMobil Vistamaxx ,"Vistamaxx - A Versatile Polymer Elasticity Modifier", ExxonMobil chemical, 30/06/2026
  3. ExxonMobil ENGAGE,"ENGAGE - Tough, resilient and flexible polyolefin elastomers", ExxonMobil chemical, 30/06/2026

Introduction and application of Dow OBC

EVA material : flexible and versatile "all-purpose player"