MATERIALS | PVC ADDITIVES


added value in processing efficiency, formulation robustness, and long-term product performance. In Europe, while tin-based systems are still estab- lished in some applications, transformation developments towards calcium-based solutions can be seen in applications like sheets. Here, innovation is not about replacing proven systems for the sake of change, but about developing alternatives that meet technical and economical expectations while supporting broader market trends.


Above: According to German additive supplier IKA, industry


advancement is best achieved through close cooperation with customers


gent, while trade disruptions and tariff uncertainties have added volatility to global supply chains. German PVC additive manufacturer and distrib-


utor IKA says advancement is best achieved through close cooperation with customers to translate these trends into practical solutions. Rather than viewing additive development only through chemistry, it sees innovation as applica- tion-driven problem solving, combining formula- tion expertise with market insight and technical support. This approach has become increasingly important as processors seek solutions tailored not only to today’s requirements but also to future regulatory and performance expectations. Another important aspect to consider is how new stabiliser concepts can contribute to broader use of recycled content and help processors maintain consistent product quality, even under complex conditions. This creates opportunities beyond stabilisation itself and positions additives as “enablers of progress” in the wider PVC value chain. Looking ahead, the company says it expects the transition towards calcium-based systems to continue, supported by both market pull and technological and commercial advancements. However, success will depend less on one-to-one substitution and more on additive concepts designed around application needs. IKA stresses that this trend illustrates how progress is not simply about launching new products, but also about shaping change. Perhaps the single most notable recent trend is the ongoing shift from tin-based stabiliser systems toward calcium-based alternatives, particularly in North America. The discussion has evolved beyond simple replacement and now centres around how new-generation stabiliser solutions can unlock


36 COMPOUNDING WORLD | June 2026


Tin replacement This regulation-driven transition is being embraced by some of the larger additive suppliers, including Baerlocher which has implemented a Tin Replace- ment program providing customers worldwide with a broad range of benefits. “Tin was the perfect PVC-component of its time,” said Mustafa Ataman, Head of SBU PVC EU/MEA/US at Baerlocher. “Today, greener, safer, and more regulation-friendly systems are taking its place. We not only embrace this shift, we are driving it forward with transforma- tive, sustainability-led innovation, resulting in pioneering technologies. To this end, we combine global expertise with local knowledge to serve our customers worldwide as a trusted advisor.” Baerlocher’s Tin Replacement program initiative


offers customers: full compliance with Reach, RoHS, and other global regulations; safe use in drinking water, food contact, and medical applications; high-performance calcium-zinc based alternatives; tailored technical support for seamless conversion on existing production lines; and solutions aligned with recyclability and circular economy principles. In practice, Baerlocher’s Baerostab’s stabiliser


family provides optimised solutions for switching from tin-based systems while Baeropan one-packs represent sustainable and innovative additive systems specifically designed for rigid PVC applications. Key advantages of these products include full compatibility with existing equipment with no further investment required, and consistent performance in colour retention and mechanical strength. As a further indication of the increasing impor-


tance of tin replacement, last July Korea-based additives producer Songwon announced that Jaewon Choi had been appointed the new Leader Business Unit Tin Intermediates/PVC to oversee the company’s strategic direction and spearhead new business development to strengthen its position in the global market. According to ResearchAndMarkets.com, the PVC Stabiliser market was valued at $5.6bn in


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IMAGE: IKA


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