Provided are bimodal linear low density polyethylene copolymers (B-LLDPE copolymers) that have a combination of improved properties comprising at least one processability characteristic similar or better than that of an unblended monomodal ZN-LLDPE and a dart impact property similar or better than that of an unblended monomodal MCN-LLDPE. For the various aspects, the B-LLDPE copolymer has a density from 0.8900 to 0.9300 g/cm.sup.3; a melt index (I.sub.2) from 0.1 g/10 min. to 5 g/10 min.; a M.sub.z from 600,000 to 1,200,000 g/mol; and a hexane extractables content present in a value of up to 2.6 wt. % as measured according to ASTM D-5227:95. The B-LLDPE copolymer can be further characterized by a first melt flow ratio (I.sub.21/I.sub.2) from 25 to 65 and a first molecular weight ratio (M.sub.z/M.sub.w) from 3.5 to 5.5.

Provided are bimodal linear low density polyethylene copolymers (B-LLDPE copolymers) that have a combination of improved properties comprising at least one processability characteristic similar or better than that of an unblended monomodal ZN-LLDPE and a dart impact property similar or better than that of an unblended monomodal MCN-LLDPE. For the various aspects, the B-LLDPE copolymer has a density from 0.8900 to 0.9300 g/cm.sup.3; a melt index (I.sub.2) from 0.1 g/10 min. to 5 g/10 min.; a M.sub.z from 600,000 to 1,200,000 g/mol; and a hexane extractables content present in a value of up to 2.6 wt. % as measured according to ASTM D-5227:95. The B-LLDPE copolymer can be further characterized by a first melt flow ratio (I.sub.21/I.sub.2) from 25 to 65 and a first molecular weight ratio (M.sub.z/M.sub.w) from 3.5 to 5.5.

A thermoformable film comprises a polyethylene composition. The polyethylene composition comprises a first polyethylene which is an ethylene copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 70,000 to 250,000 and a molecular weight distribution M.sub.w/M.sub.n of <2.3, a second polyethylene which is an ethylene copolymer or homopolymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 15,000 to 100,000 and a molecular weight distribution M.sub.w/M.sub.n of <2.3, and a third polyethylene which is an ethylene copolymer or homopolymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 70,000 to 250,000 and a molecular weight distribution M.sub.w/M.sub.n of >2.3, where the first polyethylene has more short chain branching than the second polyethylene or the third polyethylene. The polyethylene composition has a melt flow ratio (I.sub.21/I.sub.2) of ≤50 and an area Dimensional Thermoformability Index (aDTI) at 105° C. of less than 15.

A thermoformable film comprises a polyethylene composition. The polyethylene composition comprises a first polyethylene which is an ethylene copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 70,000 to 250,000 and a molecular weight distribution M.sub.w/M.sub.n of <2.3, a second polyethylene which is an ethylene copolymer or homopolymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 15,000 to 100,000 and a molecular weight distribution M.sub.w/M.sub.n of <2.3, and a third polyethylene which is an ethylene copolymer or homopolymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 70,000 to 250,000 and a molecular weight distribution M.sub.w/M.sub.n of >2.3, where the first polyethylene has more short chain branching than the second polyethylene or the third polyethylene. The polyethylene composition has a melt flow ratio (I.sub.21/I.sub.2) of ≤50 and an area Dimensional Thermoformability Index (aDTI) at 105° C. of less than 15.

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.

Embodiments of a method of producing a multimodal ethylene-based polymer comprising a first catalyst and a second catalyst in a first solution polymerization reactor and a third catalyst in a second solution polymerization reactor.

Embodiments of a method of producing a multimodal ethylene-based polymer comprising a first catalyst and a second catalyst in a first solution polymerization reactor and a third catalyst in a second solution polymerization reactor.

Disclosed are a polyolefin resin composition and a production method using same. The polyolefin resin satisfies the following conditions: (1) melt index (MI2.16, 190° C., under a load of 2.16 kg) is 0.1 to 1.5 g/10 min; (2) density is 0.91 to 0.93 g/cc; (3) polydispersity Index (Mw (weight-average molecular weight)/Mn (number-average molecular weight)) is 3 to 7; (4) Mz (Z-average molecular weight)/Mw (weight-average molecular weight) is 2.3 to 4.5; and (5) COI(Comonomer Orthogonal Index) value calculated by Equation 1 in the specification is 5 to 12. In Equation 1, “SCB number at Mz” represents average number of branches derived from comonomers per 1000 carbon atoms at Z-average molecular weight (Mz), and “SCB number at Mn” represents average number of branches derived from comonomers per 1000 carbon atoms at number-average molecular weight (Mn) based on a molecular weight-comonomer distribution graph.

Disclosed are a polyolefin resin composition and a production method using same. The polyolefin resin satisfies the following conditions: (1) melt index (MI2.16, 190° C., under a load of 2.16 kg) is 0.1 to 1.5 g/10 min; (2) density is 0.91 to 0.93 g/cc; (3) polydispersity Index (Mw (weight-average molecular weight)/Mn (number-average molecular weight)) is 3 to 7; (4) Mz (Z-average molecular weight)/Mw (weight-average molecular weight) is 2.3 to 4.5; and (5) COI(Comonomer Orthogonal Index) value calculated by Equation 1 in the specification is 5 to 12. In Equation 1, “SCB number at Mz” represents average number of branches derived from comonomers per 1000 carbon atoms at Z-average molecular weight (Mz), and “SCB number at Mn” represents average number of branches derived from comonomers per 1000 carbon atoms at number-average molecular weight (Mn) based on a molecular weight-comonomer distribution graph.