ADDITIVES | RECYCLING
Trial results for SI Group’s Evercycle PET103D, which was compounded into 100% rPET at 1,500 ppm
Source: SI Group SI Group is also developing stabilising packages
tailored for recycled polypropylene (rPP) that will “close the performance gap” compared to virgin PP and allow compounders to increase recycled content while still maintaining properties, said Frederix. Meeting this dual challenge is important in PP for automotive applications, for example, where OEM specifications must be achieved while also working to add more rPP content, which is being driven by pressures such as the upcoming EU’s End-of-Life Vehicle Directive. “SI Group is currently screening new stabilising blends to improve the long-term heat aging performance for automotive PP compounds. By adding advanced stabilising packages, the performance of the rPP can be enhanced at low ad- ditive dosing rates,” Frederix said.
Additive insights Oliver Reich, head of BASF’s Competence Center Packaging & Circular Solutions, said that BASF has gained additional insight into the interaction of additives and their impact on the quality of recycled materials since the 2021 launch of the company’s IrgaCycle additives for recycled plastics. “As more applications beyond packaging – such as automotive, construction and electronics – prepare for mandatory recycled plastic content regulations, BASF is also looking to expand its offering beyond its current standard portfolio,” Reich said. The automotive industry, in particular, is driving demand for more sophisticated solutions. BASF says it is combining its additive offering with other mechanical recycling solutions from BASF, such as the TrinamiX NIR detector and the Chemetall washing solution, to provide converters and recyclers with solutions out of one source. Clariant’s PKG158, which enables greater levels
of recyclate to be added in rigid packaging such as blow moulded bottles or injection moulded parts, was expanded to the North American region, the
46 COMPOUNDING WORLD | October 2024
company announced at NPE 2024. The additive is designed to make polyolefins and other polymers “recycle ready” by providing long-term protection for the polymer through multiple heat histories and helping to protect against discoloration. The high efficiency of this additive chemistry allows it to provide robust stabilisation at low additional levels. It also has low migration levels and low plate-out attributes. A similar product for stabilising film products, PKG 196, was introduced at the K 2022 Show; the additive helps reduce gels and allow higher levels of recycle content in thin films and flexible packaging. “As our customers increase their use of recycled
content, we have optimised AddWorks PKG 158 for excellent processability and to enhance the resin for end-of-life plastic recycling,” said Eliandro Felipe, Head of Sales Americas for Additives Polymer Solutions. Dover Chemical’s Doverphos LGP12 (liquid
green phosphite) has seen success as a stabiliser in recycle streams, where it has been shown to reduce both the size and overall amount of gels in recy- cled-polyethylene film applications. Shawn Cook, Technical Manager for Plastic Additives at Dover Chemical, reports that the additive allows higher concentrations of recyclate to be used without a loss in finished product quality. In addition to acting as an antioxidant, the additive also acts as a PFAS-free and silicone-free polymer processing aid (PPA), showing both the ability to clear melt fracture in blown film and to reduce die-lip buildup in cast film, Cook said. LGP12 is a high molecular weight polymeric phosphite, and its high phosphorus content allows it to be used at lower loading levels, both of which contribute to low migration. The additive recently received an endorsement from EFSA in the EU for food contact applications. The additive received US FDA clearance for food contact in LLDPE in 2019 and for HDPE in 2023. The company reports that it
www.compoundingworld.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
