An activator-nucleator formulation comprising an activating effective amount of (A) an alkylaluminum(chloride) compound (compound (A)); and a nucleating effective amount of a compound (B) selected from at least one of compounds (B1) to (B3): (B1) calcium (1R,2S)-cis-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (1:1); (B2) calcium stearate (1:2), and (B3) zinc stearate (1:2); wherein the compound (A) is effective for activating a Ziegler-Natta procatalyst to give a Ziegler-Natta catalyst; and wherein the compound (B) is effective for lowering isothermal crystallization peak time period of a semicrystalline polyethylene polymer made in a polymerization process by the Ziegler-Natta catalyst. A method of polymerizing ethylene, and optionally 0, 1, or more alpha-olefin comonomers, in a polymerization process conducted in a polymerization reactor, the method comprising contacting ethylene, and optionally 0, 1, or more alpha-olefin comonomers, with the Ziegler-Natta catalyst system to give a semicrystalline polyethylene polymer. The semicrystalline polyethylene polymer made by the method of polymerizing.

An activator-nucleator formulation comprising an activating effective amount of (A) an alkylaluminum(chloride) compound (compound (A)); and a nucleating effective amount of a compound (B) selected from at least one of compounds (B1) to (B3): (B1) calcium (1R,2S)-cis-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (1:1); (B2) calcium stearate (1:2), and (B3) zinc stearate (1:2); wherein the compound (A) is effective for activating a Ziegler-Natta procatalyst to give a Ziegler-Natta catalyst; and wherein the compound (B) is effective for lowering isothermal crystallization peak time period of a semicrystalline polyethylene polymer made in a polymerization process by the Ziegler-Natta catalyst. A method of polymerizing ethylene, and optionally 0, 1, or more alpha-olefin comonomers, in a polymerization process conducted in a polymerization reactor, the method comprising contacting ethylene, and optionally 0, 1, or more alpha-olefin comonomers, with the Ziegler-Natta catalyst system to give a semicrystalline polyethylene polymer. The semicrystalline polyethylene polymer made by the method of polymerizing.

Methods for controlling the productivity of an olefin polymer in a polymerization reactor system using a halogenated hydrocarbon compound are disclosed. The productivity of the polymer can be increased via the addition of the halogenated hydrocarbon compound.

Methods for controlling the productivity of an olefin polymer in a polymerization reactor system using a halogenated hydrocarbon compound are disclosed. The productivity of the polymer can be increased via the addition of the halogenated hydrocarbon compound.

A process for the preparation of an ultra-high molecular weight ethylene homopolymer having a MFR.sub.21 of 0.01 g/10 min or less, said process comprising: (I) prepolymerising at least ethylene at a temperature of 0 to 90° C. in the presence of a heterogeneous Ziegler Natta catalyst to prepare an ethylene prepolymer having an Mw of 40,000 to 600,000 g/mol; and thereafter in the presence of the prepolymer and said catalyst; (II) polymerising ethylene at a temperature of 55° C. or less, such as 20 to 55° C., to prepare said UHMW ethylene homopolymer; wherein the UHMW ethylene homopolymer comprises up to 8 wt. % of said prepolymer.

A process for the preparation of an ultra-high molecular weight ethylene homopolymer having a MFR.sub.21 of 0.01 g/10 min or less, said process comprising: (I) prepolymerising at least ethylene at a temperature of 0 to 90° C. in the presence of a heterogeneous Ziegler Natta catalyst to prepare an ethylene prepolymer having an Mw of 40,000 to 600,000 g/mol; and thereafter in the presence of the prepolymer and said catalyst; (II) polymerising ethylene at a temperature of 55° C. or less, such as 20 to 55° C., to prepare said UHMW ethylene homopolymer; wherein the UHMW ethylene homopolymer comprises up to 8 wt. % of said prepolymer.

Embodiments of a method for producing a multimodal ethylene-based polymer having a first, second, and third ethylene-based component, wherein the multimodal ethylene based polymer results when ethylene monomer, at least one C.sub.3-C.sub.12 comonomer, solvent, and optionally hydrogen pass through a first solution, and subsequently, a second solution polymerization reactor. The first solution polymerization reactor or the second solution polymerization reactor receives both a first catalyst and a second catalyst, and a third catalyst passes through either the first or second solution polymerization reactors where the first and second catalysts are not already present. Each ethylene-based component is a polymerized reaction product of ethylene monomer and C.sub.3-C.sub.12 comonomer catalyzed by one of the three catalysts.

Embodiments of a method for producing a multimodal ethylene-based polymer having a first, second, and third ethylene-based component, wherein the multimodal ethylene based polymer results when ethylene monomer, at least one C.sub.3-C.sub.12 comonomer, solvent, and optionally hydrogen pass through a first solution, and subsequently, a second solution polymerization reactor. The first solution polymerization reactor or the second solution polymerization reactor receives both a first catalyst and a second catalyst, and a third catalyst passes through either the first or second solution polymerization reactors where the first and second catalysts are not already present. Each ethylene-based component is a polymerized reaction product of ethylene monomer and C.sub.3-C.sub.12 comonomer catalyzed by one of the three catalysts.

A multimodal polyethylene copolymer suitable for use in cable insulation comprising: (III) 45 to 55 wt % of a lower molecular weight component which is an ethylene copolymer of ethylene and at least one C3-12 alpha olefin comonomer, said LMW component having a density of 940 to 962 kg/m.sup.3 and an MFR.sub.2 of 50 to 500 g/10 min; (IV) 55 to 45 wt % of a higher molecular weight ethylene copolymer component of ethylene and at least one C3-12 alpha olefin comonomer;

wherein said multimodal polyethylene copolymer has a density of 940 to 950 kg/m.sup.3, an MFR.sub.2 of 0.05 to 2.0 g/10 min and preferably at least one of crystallization half time>3.0 mins at 120.5° C., a crystallization half time>5.0 mins at 121° C. or a crystallization half time>10.0 mins at 122° C.

A multimodal polyethylene copolymer suitable for use in cable insulation comprising: (III) 45 to 55 wt % of a lower molecular weight component which is an ethylene copolymer of ethylene and at least one C3-12 alpha olefin comonomer, said LMW component having a density of 940 to 962 kg/m.sup.3 and an MFR.sub.2 of 50 to 500 g/10 min; (IV) 55 to 45 wt % of a higher molecular weight ethylene copolymer component of ethylene and at least one C3-12 alpha olefin comonomer;

wherein said multimodal polyethylene copolymer has a density of 940 to 950 kg/m.sup.3, an MFR.sub.2 of 0.05 to 2.0 g/10 min and preferably at least one of crystallization half time>3.0 mins at 120.5° C., a crystallization half time>5.0 mins at 121° C. or a crystallization half time>10.0 mins at 122° C.