NEWS


Gerdau launches graphene masterbatch for PE films


Brazilian nanotech firm Gerdau Graphene has announced commercial availability of its Poly-G PE-07GM polyethylene masterbatch, which contains graphene and is designed for production of extruded PE films, sheets and profiles. Using the new master-


batch in PE films can improve mechanical and thermal properties and allow significant downgaug- ing, according to the company. It said trials using the additive in a nail packaging application allowed a 25% film thickness reduction and resulted in


Gerdau’s graphene PE film masterbatch in now commercialised


less perforation. This was said to reduce film waste by 39% and increase film productivity by 7%. According to Gerdau, other benefits include improved gas barrier, higher


UV resistance, reduction in surface friction, better thermal stability, and improved processing. “Improving the material qualities of polyethylene has a meaningful impact on its


Evonik takes stake in Interface


Evonik, through its Sustain- ability Tech Fund, has taken a stake in UK-based Inter- face Polymers, which has developed technology to aid compatibilisation of PE and PP resins during recycling. Interface’s Polarfin additives can considerably


simplify recycling of PE or PP. “Many modern applica- tions would be unthinkable without plastics but recy- cling them is still a big challenge,” said Bernhard Mohr, Head of Venture Capital at Evonik. “Interface Polymers’ additive technology offers a


solution and is an excellent fit with Evonik’s Circular Plastics Program,” he said. Interface Polymers was established in 2016 to commercialise inventions made in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Warwick. � www.evonik.com


Fraunhofer targets ETP recycling


Fraunhofer’s Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability (LBF) has launched a project to investigate how more recyclates could be used in technically demanding applications. The project will aim to develop and communicate knowledge regarding


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dependencies between the type of compounding, the chemical composition of the input materials, the com- pounding process variables, and the resulting applica- tion properties, especially regarding mechanical behaviour and aging resistance.


It will cover a selection of COMPOUNDING WORLD | April 2023


condensation polymers used in technical applica- tions, such as PA, PET, PBT or PC. The aim is to assem- ble an interdisciplinary platform of players from across the value chain in order to develop targeted approaches to overcoming technical problems. �www.lbf.fraunhofer.de


sustainability in addition to cutting down on costs,” said Alexandre Corrêa, CEO of Gerdau Graphene. Gerdau has also signed a distribution agreement covering Japan with Sumitomo Chemical. “In the past years there has been a strong drive for sustainabil- ity in Japan and we believe graphene additives will be a key material to support our local customers in bringing better products to the local market,” said Naoyuki Tokunaga, GM of the Carbon Department at Sumitomo Chemical. � www.gerdaugraphene.com


KLK Oleo invests in Temix Oleo


KLK Oleo, an oleochemical producer with manufactur- ing sites in Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and Europe, is to take a control- ling stake in Temix Oleo. Headquartered in Milan,


Italy, with a production plant at Calderara di Reno, Temix Oleo is an oleo- chemical company focused on production of esters mainly based on renewable feed stocks. It serves the lubricant, cosmetic, ceramic, coating, rubber and plastics industries and posted sales of €150m in 2022. �www.klkoleo.com �www.temixoleo.com


www.compoundingworld.com


IMAGE: GERDAU GRAPHENE


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