PVC | additives


Moving ahead in PVC additives


Developments in additives for PVC continue apace. Most of the focus has been on stabilisers, particularly after the successful completion last year of the voluntary phase-out of lead-based types in Europe; the market for these stabilisers has been virtually completely taken over by calcium-zinc (Ca-Zn) types. However, there is also considerable development activity going on in the area of lubricants and impact modifi ers.


Calcium-zinc challenge T he move from lead to Ca-Zn stabilisers has thrown up a number of challenges, according to Baerlocher. The company has, for example, developed several dust-free product forms, including tablets and fl akes, which it says simplify logistics and improve occupational health and safety. It has also developed new lubricant systems to meet demand for high-gloss PVC products, and developed stabiliser systems that do not require calcium acetylacetonate as a co-stabiliser – preventing the accumulation of red deposits in the extruder. T he company also points to increasing demand for


custom fi nishes, such as simulated wood grain and metallic. “As coloured profi les do not require low b values, lower quantities of co-stabilisers are needed for one-pack stabilisers, paring back costs. Furthermore, these profi les are generally fi lm-coated, minimising the


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Whether it be for stabilisation, lubrication or performance modifi cation, producers of PVC


additives continue to bring new and improved product offerings to the market. Peter Mapleston reports


risk of fi nish-related problems,” Baerlocher claims. The company has developed twin-pack systems for such applications. Manufacturers of white and coloured profi les can use the same basic stabiliser (accounting for 80 to 90% of the overall formulation) for both. It is also possible to add a booster system to safeguard the quality of the white profi les. Baerlocher is not pitching only at Europe. At the Chinaplas show in April it said it is actively supporting the local plastics industry in its ongoing transition to calcium-based stabiliser systems and is continuing to invest signifi cantly in its local production plant in Changzhou. This year, an investment of $5m will take


Main image: The phase out of lead-based stabilisers in PVC applica- tions such as construction profi les has been a key driver for


development in recent years


June 2016 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 27


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