ADDITIVES | CLARIFIERS AND NUCLEATORS
Hyperform HPN 909ei provides improved aesthetics in thermoformed PP parts such as yoghurt cups and drinking cups
gies of a PP clarifier concentrate (masterbatch) based on PureCycle’s recycled PP. The new concentrate has been formulated using Milliken’s Millad NX 8000 ECO clarifier and is said to provide a carbon footprint (GHG) reduction of approximately 35% compared to a virgin PP equivalent. According to the company, the new concentrate provides the same quality and clarity as virgin equivalents. Purecycle’s novel solution- based PP recycling technology also means the new clarifier concentrate can be used for produc- tion of odour-free parts. Milliken is also collaborating with Chinese
downgauging of pipe wall thickness. For thermoforming parts, Milliken’s additives can also minimise haze and yellowness in PP homopol- ymer grades while increasing stiffness and retain- ing impact performance. This can help in sustaina- bility-driven material replacement programmes. Other Milliken additives include Hyperform HPN 715, which the company says provides converters a viable option to support replacement of engineering plastics with less costly PP materi- als in demanding automotive applications. Hyperform HPN 715 can also enhance the key properties of polypropylene block (PPB) copoly- mers used in large-diameter pipes. Hyperform HPN 909ei offers improved aesthetics for thermoformed parts made in PP homopolymers and mini-random copolymers. It is uses a cleaner chemistry and is said to address concerns related to migration in food-contact applications such as yoghurt cups, food trays and drinking cups. The company says the grade carries one SML (Specific Migration Limit) less than the previous generation product, which simplifies food contact approvals within the European Union regulatory regime. Thermoformed products made using Hyperform HPN 909ei feature improved aesthetics, including reduced haze, less yellowing and an overall cleaner look. They display a good balance of physical properties, and help to resolve production issues such as shrinkage and warpage experienced when using some traditional nucleators. Hyperform HPN 909ei provides isotropic shrinkage, which reduces warpage, and a heat-deflection temperature (HDT) suitable for hot-fill and microwaveable applications.
Sustainability focus Milliken is working with partners on a number of sustainability-focused initiatives. These include the joint development with PureCycle Technolo-
56 COMPOUNDING WORLD | March 2023
company Re-mall to upcycle waste single-use plastics into durable long-lifetime items. Using Millad NX 8000 ECO clarifier and ClearTint poly- meric colourants, Re-mall has developed a mechani- cal recycling process for PP that can help turn waste take-out food boxes, the largest single-use PP waste stream in China, into storage boxes and frisbees. Meanwhile, US-based APC Packaging has developed a blow-moulded mono-material PP bottle and dropper to compete against traditional glass. It uses a blow moulding PP enhanced with Milliken’s clarifying agent that allows transparent colours or tints added to be added to pipettes for effect or to aid visualisation. The droppers are said to be proving highly attractive to beauty brands as they allow easy recycling together with customisa- tion opportunities. Milliken has also partnered with Erema and
PreZero in Europe to highlight use of its perfor- mance nucleating additives in recycled PP com- pounds. PreZero uses its formulation expertise and Erema recycling technology together with Mil- liken’s additives to produce rPP resins from PCR waste. Hyperform HPN upgrades the rPP’s physical properties while also reducing the cycle time needed to process it. The additives are also claimed to enable better dimensional control and crystallisation stability during the post-injection moulding period.
Beta initiative ADK STAB NA-B99 is a new beta-nucleating agent from Adeka Polymer Additives, which the com- pany says is capable of considerably improving the mechanical properties of PP. “Adeka has a long history and deep knowledge of the nucleation of polymers,” says Marie-Raphaël Morvillier, Technical Director, Adeka Polymer Additives Europe. “Our broad product range allows the application
of plastics to be expanded. For example, ADK STAB NA-27 is an alpha-nucleating agent, improving stiffness and thermal stability of PP, as well as
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IMAGE: MILLIKEN
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