MATERIALS | TECHNOLOGY DRAINAGE Sustainable additive helps raise output
Timewell Drainage Products has used a variety of additives from GreenMan- tra Technologies to help it incorporate recycled HDPE into its stormwater and agricultural drainage pipe. It has used Ceranovus PN speciality polymer additives as processing aids – made from waste plastic using a patented molecular recycling process – to raise output of its pipe. The additives act as melt flow modifiers to help Timewell smooth out processing inconsistencies resulting
ADDITIVES
TiO2 grade free of TMP
and TME Venator, a supplier of speciality chemicals, has introduced a TMP- and TME-free Tioxide TR81 grade – the first in a series of reformulated titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigments. This, it says, will help customers in the plastics sector stay ahead of evolving regulations while maintaining high-perfor- mance formulations. Designed to meet stricter chemical regula- tions, the new pigment delivers the same opacity, brightness, dispersibility, and durability as its predecessor – without trimethylolpropane (TMP) or trimethylolethane (TME). By replacing TMP with different organic com- pounds, customers can meet compliance require- ments without compromis- ing performance. �
www.venatorcorp.com
www.pipeandprofile.com
from variability in post-consumer and post-industrial recyclate (PCR/PIR). They also help Timewell to increase production line speed by up to 25% without raising energy use and costs. “When we began producing HDPE
stormwater pipe with a high percent- age of PCR, we saw processing issues like higher extruder torque,” said Jake Colclasure, chief operating officer at Timewell. “Using GreenMantra’s sustainable additives, we were able to increase line speeds at the same fixed
IRRIGATION
Research project looks for natural way to stop pests
Aimplas of Spain is taking part in the Walldrip project, which plans to develop a novel system to protect drip irrigation by repelling insects without using pesticides. The aim is to enable
irrigation pipes and emitters to protect themselves by introducing natural additives with repellent properties into their composition, in an attempt to promote sustainable agriculture. Other project partners
are Azud – a specialist in filtration and irrigation systems – the Centre of Soil Science and Applied Biology of the Segura (CEBAS-CSIC) and the Murcian Institute of Agricultural and Environ- mental Research and Development (IMIDA). The project is in line with the European Union‘s aim to minimise the use of
costs, including energy costs.” By providing an alternative to fossil-based additives, GreenMantra products help Timewell decrease the carbon footprint of its pipe. Samples of Timewell’s HDPE drainage pipe made this way were seen at last year’s NPE. Its dual-wall corrugated stormwa- ter pipe contains up to 50% recycled content, while its single-wall, corru- gated agricultural drainage pipe uses around 40%. �
https://greenmantra.com
chemicals in agriculture. It will initially develop the first of two prototype of high- precision emitter pipes with controlled protection mechanisms against pests. Elena Domínguez, a
researcher in controlled release and soil quality at Aimplas, said: “Legislation, industry and society need to work together to develop integrated and sustainable solutions that provide farmers with tools to produce more food in an increasingly efficient way,
optimising the use of natural resources.” The aim is for the
irrigation pipe and emitter to be able to protect themselves through modification of their manufacturing process and design.
“In the case of the pipes, we incorporate repellent substances that are respect- ful of the fauna in the soil and protect the irrigation installation – thus increasing durability,” she said. �
www.aimplas.es
Spring 2025 | PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION 39
IMAGE: AIMPLAS
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