ADDITIVES | COMPATIBILISERS
Right: Compatibilisers for mixed recycled plastics from Interface Polymers are designed to make packag- ing more sustainable
post-consumer waste streams would benefit from this technology, such as multi-layer barrier film packaging, shrink sleeves, cosmetic or phytosanitary containers made by extrusion blow moulding, rigid packaging, reinforced/multi-wall tube and hoses, as well as fishnets, mats and carpets,” he says. Another company reporting high levels of
interest in solutions to the problem of how to recycle mixed plastics is Interface Polymers. “As companies look to make their packaging more sustainable the option to recycle the packaging they already use, that has been optimised for performance and cost over many years, is the best solution,” says Simon Waddington, Business Development Director. “However, they are finding that the types of
compatibiliser available is limited and therefore look to companies such as Interface Polymers with novel compatibilisation technology to solve problems. These are most often in processing the mixed plastic or cross contaminated waste, where di-block compatibilsers offer the best performance to eliminate gels, flow defects and create smooth printable surfaces,” he says. “The main trend influencing packaging is sustainability, so this is driving additive and polymer producers to divert significant efforts into solving the challenges,” Waddington says. “When we started asking film producers what their issues were, they all stated that it was physical properties of the film. However, the polymer industry reacted quickly to demonstrate that this was not an issue, and we suspect that many companies were guessing at the problems. From actual trials now done with mixed or cross contaminated plastic
packaging the major challenges faced are in processing and surface finish while the issues with physical properties can be easily overcome.” Interface says new technologies are required to
overcome issues with traditional compatibilisers, such as the need to use them at addition levels greater than 10%. This can cause processing issues. Its new generation of products are effective at lower levels, often below 1%. Its Polarfin di-block compati- bilisers are suitable for a wide range of mixed plastics, such as PE/PA, PP/PA, PE/EVOH, PP/EVOH, PE/PET, PP/PET, PE/cellulose and PP/cellulose. Waddington cites the example of a customer
producing multi-layer PE/PA packaging. It was recycling post-industrial waste with post-consumer waste at over 30%, resulting in a rough surface layer that led to high print head wear and loss of print definition. Incorporating a Polarfin di-block
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IMAGE: INTERFACE POLYMERS
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