MATERIALS
growth in the region by advancing R&D competencies,
and increasing its manufacturing footprint and technical
capabilities across its 50-odd sites, three R&D and six tech-
nical innovation centres. Clariant showcased its pigments,
additives and masterbatches for plastics applications,
including sustainable flame retardant Exolit OP 1400,
high-performance PV Fast pigments and AddWorks prod-
ucts. AddWorks TFB 117 is a new introduction for fibre
applications. It offers a number of benefits to help stabilize
and smooth fibre production processes, protect colour, and
improve the heat stability and mechanical properties of
fibres, the company reports. It ensures smooth spinnability
with less breakage of filaments, even at low processing tem-
peratures and at high-speed spinning up to 5500 m/min,
the company claims.
Spanish minerals firm Tolsa SA (www.tolsa.com) dis-
played its Adins-brand flame-retardant synergists at NPE
2018. The natural silicate-based additives reportedly work
with most polymeric matrices, including polyethylene (PE),
PP and PVC, and can be used with formulations based on
halogen and halogen-free flame retardants. Among the latest
developments, the company has recently demonstrated that
Adins synergists such as Adins 80T and Adins Clay 15 per-
form well in rubbers and silicones, respectively, broadening
the field of application for these additives. It also revealed
that it is currently working on the development of additives
for chlorinated PE (CPE), in order to further complement
its special additives portfolio for wire and cable applications.
Preliminary studies with Adins additives have shown good
fire retardancy performance, reduced smoke production and
the potential to reduce antimony trioxide (ATO) content,
according to Tolsa. The company says it will complete its
study with ‘formulation readjustments’ during 2018.
Liquid colour and additives maker Repi LLC (www.repi.
com) from Italy showcased its portfolio of speciality addi-
tives for packaging, which ranges from anti-yellowing and
intrinsic viscosity (IV) enhancers for recycled PET to UV
additives and special barrier whites for UHT milk contain-
ers. Its range also includes liquid foaming agent Xpansor for
PVC. Taiwanese additives maker Chitec Technology (www.
chitec.com) focused on its Revonox 6 Plus spiro phosphite
antioxidant. The material is a powerful secondary antioxi-
dant that protects melt-flow index and reduces yellowing of
polymers, the company claims. Further advantages include
its low melting point, high efficiency and solubility, Chitec
reports. Revonox 6 is recommended for polyolefin applica-
tions such as HDPE rotational moulding, automotive parts
and PP fibre spinning.
August 2018 Additives for Polymers
In addition, A. Schulman (www.aschulman.com)
used the NPE 2018 show to launch its Polybatch-brand
EasyPour additive masterbatch concentrates for flexible
and rigid multilayer food packaging applications, while
Indian company Blend Colours (www.blendcolours.com)
introduced its Oxygreen oxo-biodegradable plastic addi-
tive masterbatch to the North American market. Product
introductions from Baerlocher USA, Eckart, Vertellus,
Orion Engineered Carbons and Milliken were covered in
the last issue [ADPO, July 218, pages 1–6].
More information: www.npe.org
Ampacet presents UV stabilizer
masterbatch for long-life
greenhouse films
G lobal masterbatch producer Ampacet, via its
Luxembourg-headquartered European busi-
ness, has broadened its range of offerings for
the agricultural market with the introduction of
UV-stabilizing masterbatch Agristab 372, which
is designed particularly for films used in multi-
season greenhouses where there is high usage of
pesticides such as sulfur. Under these demanding
conditions, the new, ‘highly effective’ grade is
reported to outperform the hindered amine light
stabilizers (HALS) and NOR-HALS that are typi-
cally used in greenhouse films.
According to Ampacet, greenhouse films containing
conventional NOR-HALS are typically designed for a
maximum sulfur content of 3000 ppm and three years,
or four seasons, of effectiveness. However, the company
reports that the market preference is now for greenhouses
with longer lifespans and the ability to withstand a sulfur
content of up to 5000 ppm. Sulfur evaporators are one
of the most commonly used methods of fumigating the
interior of greenhouses, providing homogeneous deposi-
tion on all exposed greenhouse and plant surfaces to kill
pests and fungal spores. But photo-oxidation of sulfur on
the film surface can yield acidic species that deactivate
hindered amine-based light stabilizers, leading to early
degradation of the film and thus reducing the useful life
of the greenhouse, Ampacet explains.
The company claims that its innovative additive technology
allows Agristab 372 to fulfil the new market requirements,
3
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exceeding the recommendations of the Spanish committee
for plastics in agriculture (CEPLA). The UV-stabilizing mas-
terbatch provides greenhouse films with ‘outstanding resist-
ance to pesticides’, permitting sulfur use of up to 5000 ppm
for a greenhouse life of more than three years, it reports.
In addition, Agristab 372 enables lower-gauge films to be
used in greenhouses, while reduced amounts of the stabilizer
can be used where lower pesticide levels of, for example,
1500–3000 ppm, are sufficient, the firm says. Furthermore,
the new stabilizer has no effect on the colour of the film, and
offers excellent light transmission and optimized plant yields,
Ampacet maintains.
The company also recently introduced Permstat 020,
described as a permanent electrostatic dissipative solution for
colourable thermoformed styrenic sheet applications, such as
the trays used for the transportation of electronic devices. The
new additive solution provides ‘immediate, consistent and long-
term’ electrostatic dissipative properties, according to Ampacet.
It also offers very low surface resistivity even in dry conditions,
the company says. Moreover, Permstat 020 provides a soft look
and feel, and its natural ivory tint allows for colours and special
effects to be added to end products, Ampacet reports. Both
Permstat 020 and Agristab 372 were developed and launched
by Ampacet in Europe but are available worldwide.
More information: www.ampacet.com
GCR Group offers compostable
mineral masterbatches
S pain’s GCR Group has expanded its Granic
portfolio of mineral masterbatches with the
addition of a new family of products for flexible
and rigid compostable resin applications, such as
packaging and agricultural items. The company
reports that its new BioGranic grades are based
on special high-quality minerals in a compostable
resin carrier.
As GCR explains, biodegradable and compostable resins
have experienced considerable growth in demand in recent
years, gaining interest in applications where compostabil-
ity is considered a plus. Tighter regulations and restric-
tions on light and disposable plastic items have been or are
being implemented in many countries the world over, with
the result that the market share for compostable resins is
growing continuously. However, deeper market penetra-
tion could be achieved by improving certain aspects of
4
Additives for Polymers August 2018
compostable resins, for example, by incorporating mineral
masterbatch fillers, according to the company.
GCR reports that the use of its BioGranic mineral fill-
ers can improve the mechanical performance of composta-
ble resins, enhancing properties such as impact resistance,
tear resistance and stiffness. The masterbatches can be
added to the formulation without the need to substan-
tially modify the processing conditions, it says. Moreover,
the high thermoconductivity of the minerals allows for
more-stable processing at low temperatures, the company
claims. In addition, the use of BioGranic masterbatches
can increase the competitiveness of compostable resins in
comparison with traditional materials through the reduc-
tion in formulation costs, GCR maintains.
The company has developed two different grades of
BioGranic, the first for flexible applications, such as
shopping, refuse and ultra-light bags, agricultural film,
flexible packaging and extrusion coatings, and the sec-
ond for rigid applications, including thermoformed cups
and capsules, disposable tableware, and rigid agricultural
items. The BioGranic masterbatches have been awarded
OK Compost HOME and OK Compost INDUSTRIAL
certification by TÜV-Austria, GCR reports.
More information: www.gcrgroup.es
Colour Tone introduces NIR-
detectable black masterbatches
U K-based masterbatch producer Colour Tone
is reported to have launched a new range
of black masterbatches that are detectable with
near-infrared (NIR) radiation. Their use in place
of traditional carbon black colorants will allow
the development of recyclable, single-use black
plastic tubs, trays and films. Plastics coloured
with carbon black-based pigments, which absorb
IR light, cannot be detected by the NIR technolo-
gy used in commercial waste-sorting operations.
The first two products in Colour Tone’s new range,
named NIR black 95893 and NIR black 958884, are
targeted primarily at polypropylene (PP) applications
but can be used with other polymers, offering improved
colouring and coverage capabilities, the company says.
NIR black 95893 supports applications required to meet
the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Code of
Federal Regulations’ criteria at up to 10% dosage, which