ADDITIVES | POLYAMIDES


R-series is renewable, making it an option for manufacturers keen to meet sustainability targets.


IMAGE: VOELPKER


Above: With Cevo 3105 from Voelpker, the dosage of flame retard- ants can be significantly reduced


Cevo 3105 also has positive effects on shear


forces and the flow behaviour of PA. High frictional temperatures during repeated rolling-sliding motion can alter the polymer structure and even lead to the rupture of bonds in polymer chains causing cracks and breakages. Cevo 3105 reduces friction peaks to ensure that polymer chains and sensitive additives can withstand mechanical stresses and maintain their integrity over a pro- longed length of time. In addition, it acts as a flow improver and contains stabilisers which promote re-polymerisation of partly decomposed PA. Flame retarded (FR) PA materials are widely used in demanding electrical and electronic applications. By using Cevo 3105 in PA, the flame retardant classification UL 94 V0 can be achieved while reducing the dosage as it helps to distribute the additive evenly in the polyamide matrix and has no negative influence on the dripping behaviour of the respective test rod. The Cevo range is comple- mented with bio-based structural twins Cevo 3105-R and Cevo 3110, which correspond structur- ally to the conventional examples and perform identically. However, the carbon in the Cevo


Flame retardants US speciality additive supplier CAI Performance Additives says antimony trioxide (ATO) has long been used in PA formulations as a key FR synergist, but recent challenges have driven compounders to seek replacements (as discussed in Compounding World December 2024 edition). ATO shortages and price fluctuations due to geopolitical and raw material constraints are said to be the biggest factor, with conditions exacerbated by health and regula- tory concerns as ATO is classified as a Category 1B carcinogen under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 [CLP] and listed in the US NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens. This means compounders, particularly those targeting UL94 V-0 flame retardancy, are facing rising costs and uncertainty around ATO availability, a situation fuelling a search for reliable, lower-toxicity alternatives that maintain fire safety standards while improving sustainability and cost-effectiveness. One such solution is ST-FR322, a FR synergist from CAI Performance Additives designed to replace 30-50% of ATO in PA formula- tions leveraging a unique intercalation structure. The company says case studies demonstrate that


ST-FR322 can successfully replace 50% of ATO while maintaining UL94 V-0 in PA 6 formulations, enabling compounders to reduce ATO dependency by half without compromising FR performance. This lowers costs while keeping the same processing conditions, and meets critical safety standards with a cleaner, more sustainable formulation. Unlike traditional ATO-based systems, ST-FR322


offers proven UL94 V-0 performance, significant cost savings, lower toxicity and environmental impact, and reliable supply, all without the prob- lematic regulatory concerns surrounding ATO, says the company. It is designed for easy integration into existing PA formulations and offers improved


Ascend turns to mass balance in PA 66


Last December, Ascend Performance Materials announced the successful production of acrylonitrile, hexameth- ylene diamine, adipic acid and polyamide 66 from feedstocks derived from used cooking oil, expanding its Bioserve portfolio. The company says the resulting PA 66 has a 25% lower product carbon footprint than PA 66 made from


52 COMPOUNDING WORLD | April 2025


fossil-fuel derived feedstock and notes that using an ISCC Plus-certified mass-balance approach allows for industrial-scale production of sustain- able materials without sacrificing performance. Ascend’s production facilities in the


US are all ISCC Plus certified to handle bio-based, circular and bio-circular materials.


“We are focused on finding technical solutions for our customers’ challenges,” said Alex Mihut, Ascend’s vice president for performance chemicals.


“Using the mass-balance approach allows us to meet the growing need for sustainable materials at scale while continuing to offer reliable perfor- mance and quality.”


www.compoundingworld.com


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