K2025 NEWS


Clariant expands in flame retardants and zeolites


Switzerland-based Clariant said the second production line for flame retardant (FR) additives at its Daya Bay facility in China will be fully operational in November. The company has made a CHF 100m investment to meet growing demand for FRs in Asia and globally, particularly in the e-mobility sector. “We are supporting


growing demand for flame retardants in several markets,” said Mariano Suarez, Head of Marketing Additives at Clariant, at a press conference at K2025. In another example of the company’s market support, he said it is also investing in the “talent pool” at its Shanghai Campus in China. Clariant has expanded its


Exolit OP family of FR additives with new grades shown at K2025. Specifically designed for PBT applica- tions in e-mobility, the company said Exolit OP 1242 provides “exceptional”


hydrolysis stability, while Exolit OP 1266 provides a stable comparative tracking index (CTI) of 600 V even after extended storage periods. Both products meet the UL 94 vertical test with V-0 classification down to a sample thickness of 0.4 mm at dosing levels of 15-20%. Clariant has also launched MFI Zeolites, described as “one of the most exciting developments in our portfolio” by Séval Schichtel, Catalyst Business


IMAGE: CLARIANT


Development Manager, at the press event. Based on zeolite minerals, the Clariant products are designed to reduce odours and VOCs in car interiors as car makers use increasing amounts of recycled plastics. OEMs are evaluating MFI Zeolites and Clariant is also approaching compounders to expand their use, said Schichtel. In its catalyst business


area, Clariant unveiled a titanium-based catalyst solution for polyester


polymerisation. With China’s clampdown on exports of antimony, which is the incumbent chemistry for this application, Clariant sees an opportunity for its alterna- tive titanium solution. “Our titanium catalyst is the answer to the needs of the market,” said Reza Sarbandi, Application Development Manager. The AddWorks titanium


Clariant has installed a second flame retardants production line at its Daya Bay facility in China


catalyst is set to launch in 2026. It is designed to work across the entire polyester family, including PETG, PCT, PBT, PTT, PBAT, TPEE, and emerging polyesters like PEF, by acting as a highly effective transesterification/ polycondensation catalyst. There were other K highlights presented to jour- nalists by Clariant, including Nylostab S-EED stabilisers for artificial turf, PFAS-free AddWorks polymer process- ing aids for film extrusion, and PolyMax 600 Series phthalate-free PP catalyst. � www.clariant.com


Milliken launches new Millad PP clarifier


Milliken launched Millad ClearX 9000, a new generation of its clarifying additives for PP used in applications ranging across packaging, home storage and medical applications. The company says the additive “achieves ultra-clear PP using more efficient loading levels, reducing the amount of clarifying additives needed”. At a press conference during K


2025, Allan Randall, Global Product Line Manager at Milliken, said custom- ers had asked for development of a


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clarifier with lower loading levels because this leads to operational benefits.


Millad ClearX 9000 has lower


extraction and migration rates in PP packaging and parts which is impor- tant for food-contact and medical applications. It has received FDA food-contact


approval in the US and approval is pending in other regions. Randall said that in testing for FDA approval, the new additive showed a 17x reduction


COMPOUNDING WORLD | November 2025


in migration versus the previous Millad NX 8000 clarifier. Millad ClearX 9000 also has a


recycling benefit. Its compatibility with other Millad clarifying additives gives producers the flexibility to optimise formulations for both virgin and post-consumer recycled PP. Tests indicated that when recycled in combination with PP clarified with Millad NX 8000, the rPP material shows a consistently low haze. � www.milliken.com


www.compoundingworld.com


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