MINERAL FILLERS | MATERIALS
Sustainability and renewability are not, perhaps, terms immediately associated with mineral fillers but they both feature among the claims for some of the latest
introductions.Peter Mapleston learns more
Mineral fillers adopt a new green image
Producers of mineral fillers are developing some innovative additives that plastics compounders can exploit to improve the performance, cost-effective- ness, and – possibly surprisingly – sustainability of their products. Several suppliers even use the word “renewable” when describing their offerings. This article delves into some of these new ‘green’ developments, as well as looking at the latest innovations in established mineral fillers. Greenland-based Hudson Greenland has developed a new multi-functional additive from anorthosite, which has only recently begun to be mined. Branded as Greenspar, this white mineral is a calcium aluminium silicate from a high-purity deposit in White Mountain, Greenland. Anorthosite can be found in other locations in Europe and North America, but the Greenland product is said to have the highest quality and commercial potential. Hudson Greenland is targeting anti-block applications in PE film and is optimistic in finding
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uses in other areas as well, predominantly in non-polar polymers. It says it has several customers currently sampling material. In PE film applications, Greenspar matches the
refractive index of the polymer so it provides very good clarity as well as highly efficient anti-blocking performance. “Greenspar has differentiated properties as a low surface-area silicate mineral. Our products can be ground finely and silane treated for functionality in different systems including engineering thermoplastics. Greenspar provides outstanding dimensional stability and reduces shrinkage and warp,” says Hudson Greenland CEO Brian Hanrahan. Hanrahan has plenty of experience in minerals for the plastics industry. He joined Hudson Green- land in April of this year but his career includes a 15 year spell at Imerys, where he rose to General Manager of the company’s US Performance Additives operation before leaving to set up
Main image: Oolitic aragonite is one of a number of new mineral sources that promise fillers that deliver improved compound performance while address- ing sustainabil- ity concerns
June 2021 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 17
IMAGE: CALCEAN MINERALS & MATERIALS
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