The invention relates to a multi-layer film, especially for silage film application, a silage comprising said film and the use of said film.

Films for silage film applications may be used wrap silages. Film for silage film applications can thereby protect the content. Films for silage film applications are thereby known, for example from EP2286658, which describes a film comprising at two different ethylene-vinyl acetate based copolymers.

However, despite previous research in the field, there is always a continuous need for films with a good toughness and/or good dart impact and/or good cling/adehsion properties, especially for example stable cling/adhesion properties over time, and/or are easy to produce.

Therefore, it is the object of the invention to provide multi-layer films having a good toughness and/or good dart impact and/or good cling/adhesion properties, especially for example stable cling/adhesion properties over time, and/or are easy to produce.

This object is achieved by a multi-layer film comprising at least five layers, with two outer layers, two intermediate layers and one core layer, wherein the core layer comprises an ethylene copolymer having a density between≥ 0.910 g/cm ³ and 0.925 g/cm ³ , the intermediate layers comprise an ethylene copolymer comprising 1 -octene and having a density between≥ 0.910 g/cm ³ or > 0.915 g/cm ³ and 0.925 g/cm ³ , wherein further the first outer layer comprises either a polyethylene, especially a low density polyethylene, with a density between 0.915 g/cm ³ and 0.935 g/cm ³ or comprises between 65 wt. % and 93 wt. % of a first ethylene copolymer comprising 1 - octene and having a density between > 0.915 g/cm ³ and 0.925 g/cm ³ and between 7 wt. % and 35 wt. % of a second ethylene copolymer having a density between > 0.925 g/cm ³ and 0.945 g/cm ³ based on the total weight of polymers of the layer, wherein further the second outer layer comprises between 35 wt. % and 65 wt. % of a first ethylene copolymer comprising 1 -octene and having a density between≥ 0.910 g/cm ³ or > 0.915 g/cm ³ and 0.925 g/cm ³ and between 35 wt. % and 65 wt. % or 75 wt. % of a second ethylene copolymer having a density between 0.850 g/cm ³ and < 0.915 g/cm ³ based on the total weight of the polymers of the layer.

This may especially allow good cling properties, especially for example stable cling/adhesion properties over time, and/or simplify/ease the production. The film according to the invention may there preferably comprise only polyolefins and thus no polyisobutylene (PIB).

This advantageously allows for good cling properties and/or good adhesion properties, especially cling/adhesion properties that may be stable over time as they do not depend on the migration of PIB.

With outer layers are meant the layers that are located on the outside of the film. The outer layers may thus preferably adjacent to only one other layer of the multi-layer film according to the invention on only one of their sides. As compared to other layers in the multi-layer film of the invention, the outer layers have a substantially larger portion of the layer that faces the outside. With core layer is meant a layer that is located between at least two outer layers and/or at least two intermediate layers, preferably in the middle of the multi-layer arrangement of the multi-layer film according to the invention, especially when the multi-layer film is film with at least five or exactly five layers. Intermediate layer may thereby designate a layer that is located between at least one outer layer and at least one core layer. An intermediate layer may thereby be adjacent to at least outer layer and/or at least one core layer. With adjacent layer, as used herein, is meant a layer that is in direct contact with the layer to which it is described as adjacent. In direct contact may thereby mean that preferably no further layer is arranged between two layers which are in direct contact. Each adjacent layer to an outer layer, would therefore be in direct contact with that outer layers. A layer adjacent to at least one outer layer may thereby be for example an intermediate layer. A layer adjacent to at least one intermediate layer may thereby be for example a core layer.

The five layers of a multi-layer film according to the invention may preferably be adjacent to each other. This may mean that the core layer is in direct contact with both intermediate layers and that each intermediate layer is in direct contact with one of the outer layers. An ethylene copolymer may be a copolymer of ethylene and at least one a-olefin, preferably for example an a-olefin with 3 to 10 carbon atoms (C3-C10 alpha-olefin), such as for example 1 -butene, 1 -pentene, 1 -hexene, 1 -octene, or 4-methyl-1 -pentene, most preferably 1 -butene, 1 -hexene or 1 -octene.

A polyethylene according to the invention may be a high density polyethylene (HDPE), a low density polyethylene (LDPE) or a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), preferably an LDPE. An LDPE may thereby be produced for example in a high pressure autoclave reactor or in a tubular reactor.

In a multi-layer film according to the invention, the first outer may comprise for example between 70 wt. % and < 93 wt. %, preferably between > 75 wt. % and < 90 wt. % of the first ethylene copolymer comprising 1 -octene and between > 7 wt. % and 30 wt. %, preferably between > 10 wt. % and < 25 wt. %, of the second ethylene copolymer based on the total weight of polymers of the layer. This may further contribute to good toughness and/or good dart impact and/or good cling properties.

In a multi-layer according to the invention, the second outer layer may comprise for example between 40 wt. % and 60 wt. %, preferably between > 40 wt. % and < 60 wt. %, of the first ethylene copolymer comprising 1 -octene and between 40 wt. % and 60 wt. %, preferably between > 40 wt. % and <60 wt. %, of the second ethylene copolymer based on the total weight of the polymers of the layer. This may further contribute to good toughness and/or good dart impact and/or good cling properties.

In a multi-layer according to the invention, the core layer and/or each intermediate layer may comprise for example between 90 wt. % and 100 wt. %, preferably 100 wt. %, of their respective ethylene copolymer based on the total weight of the polymers of the layer. This may further contribute to good toughness and/or good dart impact and/or good cling properties.

In a multi-layer film according to the invention, the multi-layer film may consist of five layers and/or both outer layers may comprise the same first ethylene copolymer and/or the multi-layer film and/or each of the five layers according to the invention may comprise only polyolefins as polymers and/or the multi-layer film may preferably comprise no polypropylene and/or the multi-layer film may preferably comprise no ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymer and/or no ethylene and vinyl alcohol copolymer and/or the multi-layer film may preferably be a multi-layer film for silage film

applications.

In a multi-layer film according to the invention, the ethylene copolymer of the core layer comprises 1 -hexene or 1 -octene. This may contribute to good toughness and/or good dart impact and/or good cling properties. In a multi-layer film according to the invention, the second ethylene copolymer of the first outer layer may comprise 1 -hexene or 1 -octene. This may contribute to good toughness and/or good dart impact and/or good cling properties.

In a multilayer film according to the invention, the second ethylene copolymer of the second outer layer may comprise 1 -hexene or 1 -octene. This may contribute to good toughness and/or good dart impact and/or good cling properties.

In a multi-layer film according to the invention, the density of the ethylene copolymer of the core layer may be between 0.913 and 0.923 g/cm ³ , preferably between > 0.913 and < 0.923 g/cm ³ and/or the melt flow rate of the ethylene copolymer of the core layer may be between 0.2 and 2.5 g/10 min, preferably between 0.5 and 1 .5 g/10 min.

In a multi-layer film according to the invention, the density of the ethylene copolymer of the intermediate layer may be between 0.916 g/cm ³ and 0.923 g/cm ³ , preferably between > 0.916 g/cm ³ and < 0.923 g/cm ³ and/or the melt flow rate of the ethylene copolymer of the intermediate layer may be between 0.2 and 2.5 g/10 min, preferably between 0.5 and 1 .5 g/10 min.

In a multi-layer film according to the invention, the density of the first ethylene copolymer of the first outer layer may be between 0.916 g/cm ³ and 0.923 g/cm ³ , preferably between > 0.916 g/cm ³ and < 0.923 g/cm ³ and/or the melt flow rate of the ethylene copolymer of the intermediate layer may be between 0.2 and 2.5 g/10 min, preferably between 0.5 and 1 .5 g/10 min. In a multi-layer film according to the invention, the density of the first ethylene copolymer of the second outer layer may be between 0.916 g/cm ³ and 0.923 g/cm ³ , preferably between > 0.916 g/cm ³ and < 0.923 g/cm ³ and/or the melt flow rate of the first ethylene copolymer of the second outer layer may be between 1 and 4 g/10 min, preferably between 2.5 and 3.5 g/10 min.

In a multi-layer film according to the invention, the density of the second ethylene copolymer of the first outer layer may be between 0.930 g/cm ³ and 0.940 g/cm ³ , preferably between > 0.930 g/cm ³ and < 0.940 g/cm ³ and/or the melt flow rate of the ethylene copolymer of the second ethylene copolymer of the first outer layer may be between 1 and 4 g/10 min, preferably between 2.4 and < 3.5 g/10 min.

In a multi-layer film according to the invention, the density of the second ethylene copolymer of the second outer layer may be between 0.855 g/cm ³ and 0.910 g/cm ³ , preferably between 0.860 g/cm ³ and < 0.900 g/cm ³ , preferably between > 0.860 g/cm ³ and < 0.890 g/cm ³ , and/or the melt flow rate of the ethylene copolymer of the second ethylene copolymer of the first outer layer may be between 0.2 and 2,5 g/10 min, preferably between 0.5 and 1 g/10 min.

In a multi-layer film according to the invention, the melt flow rate of the ethylene copolymer of the core layer may be lower than the melt flow rate of the ethylene copolymer(s) of each of the intermediate layers.

In a multi-layer film according to the invention, a polyethylene, especially a low density polyethylene (LDPE), may preferably have a density between 0.920 g/cm ³ and 0.930 g/cm ³ and/or preferably have a melt flow rate between 0.2 and 2 g/10 min, further preferred between 0.5 and 1 .5 g/10 min. The amount of a polyethylene, especially of a LDPE, in the first outer layer may preferably be between > 60 wt.% and 100 wt.%, preferably 75 wt.% and 99 wt.%, further preferred 85 wt.% and 95 wt.% based on the total weight of the polymers of the layer.

For the purpose of the invention, the density may be determined for example using IS01873 (A) or ASTM-D 1505 or ASTM D 792.

For the purpose of the invention, the melt flow rate may be determined for example using IS01 133:201 1 (190°C/2.16kg) or ASTM D1238 (190°C/2.16kg). In the multi-layer film of the invention, the core layer and/or the intermediate layers and/or outer layers may for example comprise polyethylene, especially for example linear low density polyethylene and/or high density polyethylene and/or low density polyethylene and/or an ethylene copolymer and/or polypropylene and/or blends of two or more of thereof.

Besides polymers, each layer may also comprise other compounds. For example, each layer may especially further comprise additives as other compounds, especially for example additives as described herein.

A multi-layer film according to the invention may comprise at least one, preferably exactly one, core layer. A multi-layer film according to the invention may comprise exactly five layers.

The production processes of LDPE, HDPE and LLDPE are summarized in Handbook of Polyethylene by Andrew Peacock (2000; Dekker; ISBN 0824795466) at pages 43- 66. The catalysts can be divided in three different subclasses including Ziegler Natta catalysts, Phillips catalysts and single site catalysts. The latter class is a family of different classes of compounds, metallocene catalysts being one of them. As elucidated at pages 53-54 of said Handbook a Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polymer is obtained via the interaction of an organometallic compound or hydride of a Group l-lll metal with a derivative of a Group IV-VIII transition metal. An example of a (modified) Ziegler-Natta catalyst is a catalyst based on titanium tetra chloride and the

organometallic compound triethylaluminium. A difference between metallocene catalysts and Ziegler Natta catalysts is the distribution of active sites. Ziegler Natta catalysts are heterogeneous and have many active sites. Consequently polymers produced with these different catalysts will be different regarding for example the molecular weight distribution and the comonomer distribution.

An ethylene copolymer according to the present invention may thereby especially be linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and/or a polyolefin plastomer and/or a polyolefin elastomer. With linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) as used herein is meant a low density polyethylene copolymer ethylene-alpha olefin copolymer) comprising ethylene and a C3- C10 alpha-olefin co-monomer (. Suitable alpha-olefin co-monomers include 1 - butene, 1 -hexene, 4-methyl-1 -pentene and 1 -octene.

Preferably, the alpha-olefin co monomer may be present for example in an amount of about 1 to about 25, preferably 5 to about 20 percent by weight of the ethylene-alpha olefin copolymer, preferably of 5 to about 20 percent by weight of the ethylene-alpha olefin copolymer, more preferably an amount of from about 7 to about 15 percent by weight of the ethylene-alpha olefin copolymer. LLDPE, as used herein, may be produced for example using metallocene and/or Ziegler-Natta catalysts.

The technologies suitable for the LLDPE manufacture include but are not limited to gas- phase fluidized-bed polymerization, polymerization in solution, and slurry polymerization.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the LLDPE has been obtained by gas phase polymerization in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst.

According to another preferred embodiment, the LLDPE may be obtained by gas phase or slurry polymerization in the presence of a metallocene catalyst.

The components of the each layer according to the invention may preferably for example add up to 100 wt. % of the each layer or to 100 wt. % of the polymer content of each layer.

The thickness of multi-layer film of the invention may range for example from 2 to 200 μηι, especially for example between 5 to 100 μηι, preferably from 10 to 50 μηι. Not all layers in the multi-layer film of the invention need to have the same thickness. For example, one or more layers in the multi-layer film may be thicker than the other layers, especially for example to increase the stability of the production process.

In a multi-layer film according to the invention, the thickness of each outer layer may represent between 10 % and 20 % of the total film thickness, preferably 15 % of the total film thickness and/or the thickness of each intermediate layer may represent between 15 % and 25 % of the total film thickness, preferably 20 % of the total film thickness and/or the thickness of the core layer may represent between 25 % and 35 % of the total film thickness, preferably 30 % of the total film thickness.

Moreover, each layer of the multi-layer film of the invention may comprise an amount of additives of 0 to 25 wt. %, especially for example 1 to 10 wt. % especially for example 0 to 8 wt. % or 0.001 to 1 wt. % based on the total weight of the layer. The rest of each layer may thereby be made up of polymers.

Additives may thereby especially for example be UV stabilizers, antistatic agents, slip/anti-block agents, fillers, antioxidants, pigments, fluor elastomers used as polymer processing aids and/or mixtures of two or more thereof. Especially for example an erucamide and/or an oleamide and/or silica and/or talc.

A multi-layer film according to the invention may comprise at least five layers or exactly five layer, wherein the multi-layer film is multi-layer film for silage film applications with two outer layers, two intermediate layers and one core layer, wherein the core layer comprises an ethylene copolymer having a density between≥ 0.910 g/cm ³ and 0.925 g/cm ³ , the intermediate layers comprise an ethylene copolymer comprising 1 -octene and having a density between≥ 0.910 g/cm ³ or > 0.915 g/cm ³ and 0.925 g/cm ³ , wherein further the first outer layer comprises either a polyethylene, especially a low density polyethylene, with a density between 0.915 g/cm ³ and 0.935 g/cm ³ or comprises between 65 wt. % and 93 wt. % of a first ethylene copolymer comprising 1 - octene and having a density between > 0.915 g/cm ³ and 0.925 g/cm ³ and between 7 wt. % and 35 wt. % of a second ethylene copolymer having a density between > 0.925 g/cm ³ and 0.945 g/cm ³ based on the total weight of polymers of the layer, wherein further the second outer layer comprises between 35 wt. % and 65 wt. % of a first ethylene copolymer comprising 1 -octene and having a density between≥ 0.910 g/cm ³ or > 0.915 g/cm ³ and 0.925 g/cm ³ and between 35 wt. % and 65 wt. % or 70 wt.% of a second ethylene copolymer having a density between 0.850 g/cm ³ and < 0.915 g/cm ³ based on the total weight of the polymers of the layer, wherein the multi-layer film and/or each of the five layers comprises only polyolefins as polymers and/or wherein further the five layers are adjacent to each other.

The multi-layer films of the present invention may be prepared by any method known in the art. Multi-layer structures may be prepared for example by a blown film co-extrusion process, for example as disclosed in "Film Extrusion Manual", (TAPPI PRESS, 2005, ISBN 1 -59510-075-X, Editor Butler, pages 413-435).

For example, in the process of coextrusion, the various resins may be first melted in separate extruders and then brought together in a feed block. The feed block is a series of flow channels which bring the layers together into a uniform stream. From this feed block, this multi-layer material then flows through an adapter and out a film die. The blown film die may be an annular die. The die diameter may be a few centimeters to more than three meters across. The molten plastic is pulled upwards from the die by a pair of nip rolls high above the die (from for example 4 meters to more than 20 meters). Changing the speed of these nip rollers will change the gauge (wall thickness) of the film. Around the die an air-ring may be provided. The air exiting the air-ring cools the film as it travels upwards. In the center of the die there may be an air outlet from which compressed air can be forced into the center of the extruded circular profile, creating a bubble. This expands the extruded circular cross section by some ratio (a multiple of the die diameter). This ratio, called the "blow-up ratio" can be just a few percent to for example more than 300 percent of the original diameter. The nip rolls flatten the bubble into a double layer of film whose width (called the "layflat") is equal to ½ of the circumference of the bubble. This film may then be spooled or printed on, cut into shapes, and heat sealed into bags or other items.

The present invention also concerns a silage comprising a multi-layer film according to the invention. Furthermore, the present invention also concerns the use of the multi-layer film according to the invention for silage film applications.

It is further noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features described herein, preferred in particular are those combinations of features that are present in the claims.

It is further noted that the term 'comprising' does not exclude the presence of other elements. However, it is also to be understood that a description on a product comprising certain components also discloses a product consisting of these

components. Similarly, it is also to be understood that a description on a process comprising certain steps also discloses a process consisting of these steps.

Examples Films according to the invention have been produced on a 5-layer co-extrusion blown line as described below.

Line descriptions and process settings:

Five extruders five layers

Target thickness 25μηι;

BUR 2,5

Die gap = 2,4 mm; 0 550 mm

Dual ring Double flow air ring. Contactless type.

Air cooling temperature 15 ⁵ C

Ring 52% of total power

IBC 60% power

Line speed 61 m/min

Output 352 kg/h The extruder settings, extruder temperature profiles and die temperature profile were thereby as described below (see Tables 1 , 2 and 3).

Temperature profiles (C ^g ) Table 2:

Extruder A Extruder B Extruder C Extruder D Extruder E

Zone 1 40 40 40 40 40

Zone 2 210 210 210 210 210

Zone 3 210 210 210 210 210

Zone 4 210 210 210 210 210

Zone 5 - - 210 - -

Filter 1 210 210 210 210 210

Filter 2 210 210 210 210 210

Filter 3 210 210 210 210 210 Die temperature profile (C ⁹ ) able 3: The layer compositions of the multi-layer films according the invention (samples A1 and A2) are as described below (see Table 4).

Table 4

LDPE 2501 is commercialy available from SABIC and is an LDPE with a density of 0.925 g/cm3 and an MFR of 0.75 g/10min.

SUPEER 81 15 is commercialy available from SABIC and is a copolymer of ethylene and 1 -octene with a density of 0.915 g/cm3 and an MFR of 1 .1 g/1 Omin.

COHERE 8570 is commercialy available from SABIC and is a copolymer of ethylene and 1 -octene with a density of 0.868 g/cm3 and an MFR of 5 g/1 Omin

A comparative example of a silage film has been produced on a 5-layer co-extrusion blown line as described below. Line descriptions and process settings:

Five extruders five layers

Target thickness 25μηι;

BUR 2,4

Die gap =2,4 mm; 0 400 mm

Air cooling temperature 15 ⁵ C

Ring 51 % of total power

IBC 46 % power

Line speed 55 m/min

Output 240 kg/h

The extruder settings, extruder temperature profiles and die temperature profile were thereby as described below (see Tables 5, 6 and 7).

Temperature profiles (C ^g ) Table 6:

Die temperature profile (C ^g ) Table 7:

zone zone 2 zone 3 zone zone zone 6

1 4 5

210 210 210 210 220 220 The composition of the multi-layer films according to comparative example (A3) with respect to polymers is as described below (Table 8).

Table 8

5

PIB is a polyisobutylene TAC100 masterbatch commercialy available from A. SCHULMAN Inc.

Exceed 2018 HA is commercialy available from ExxonMobil and is a copolymer of ethylene and 1 -hexene with a density of 0.918 g/cm3 and an MFR of 2 g/1 Omin.

Exceed 1018 HA is commercialy available from ExxonMobil and is a copolymer of 10 ethylene and 1 -hexene with a density of 0.918 g/cm3 and an MFR of 1 g/1 Omin.

Enable 2703 HH is commercialy available from ExxonMobil and is a copolymer of ethylene and 1 -hexene with a density of 0.927 g/cm3 and an MFR of 0.3 g/1 Omin.

15 Escorene Ultra FL 00218 is commercialy available from ExxonMobil and is acopolymer of ethylene and vinyl-acetate with a density of 0.940 g/cm3 and an MFR of 1 .7 g/1 Omin. Based on measurements complying with ASTM D5458, one can see that the average peel cling force is higher for multi-layer films according to the invention (samples A1 and A2) compared to the comparative example A3 both in unstreched state (0% pre-stretch) and at 100 % pre-stretch (see values reported below, Table 9).

Table 9

TABLE OF ADHESION MEASUREMENTS Unit sample Ai sample A2 sample A

Thickness average μπι 24 26 23

Thickness st.dev. μιη 1 1 1

Peelcllng ASTM D545S

23°C / 50 %RH / pre stretch 0%

Peel cling force average N 3,57 3,10 3,00

Peel cling force st.dev. N 0,12 0,14 0,20

Peel cling average N/mm 0,15 0,13 0,12

Peel cling st.dev. N/mm 0,01 0,01 0,01

Number of specimens 5 5 3

Peelding ASTM D5458

23-C / 50 %RH / pre stretch 100%

Peel cling force average N 2,89 2,24 2,21

Peel cling force st.dev. N 0.10 0,11 0,19

Peel cling average N/mm 0,12 0,09 0,09

Peel cling st.dev. N/mm 0,00 0,00 0,01

Number of specimens 5 5 3