MATERIALS | PVC ADDITIVES
PVC pellets without the need for finishing
Compounding technology group Farrel Pomini said it is offering a cost-effective and safe method for processing virgin or recycled rigid PVC that eliminates traditional finishing requirements with its newly designed Dry Face Pelletizer (DFP). The process begins by compound-
ing the rigid PVC with the Farrel Continuous Mixer (FCM) to a hot-feed single-screw extruder. The PVC cools as it passes through the extruder and moves on to the proprietary DFP that minimises die pressure and potential temperature increases while efficiently cutting pellets. After pelletising, an air
transfer system completes the cooling process along with pellet classifying and dust and fine particle removal. This concept eliminates the need for finishing the rigid PVC with a two-roll mill, water bath, and dicer, allowing for smaller capital investment and equipment footprint, as well as expedited return on investment and enhanced safety. The compact DFP is easy to
IMAGE: FARREL POMINI
operate and can be fully integrated into the user-friendly Farrel Pomini Synergy Control System, while the entire line can be completely auto- mated with minimal operator involve- ment. Meanwhile, the standard 6 L/D rotor ensures a short residence time and low heat history, especially important for processing tempera- ture-sensitive PVC.
It also introduced its tin replacement pro-
gramme – swapping traditional tin stabilisers for calcium-zinc systems – by “setting new standards” rather than waiting for regulatory mandates. It says the initiative offers: full compliance with
Reach and other global regulations; safe use in drinking water, food contact, and medical applica- tions; and tailored technical support. It adds that, compared to tin, calcium-zinc systems have a lower carbon footprint (with a 50% CO2-eq./kg reduction possible), improved regula- tory acceptance, no additional handling costs, cleaner recycling streams and safer occupational exposure profiles.
Additive research According to a study published in the journal Chem late last year, a research team led by Christo Sevov, an associate professor in chemistry and biochemistry at The Ohio State University, found that using electricity to permanently affix chemical additives to PVC can make it more durable and less likely to shed microplastics. “Instead of mixing in those chemicals, our method involves chemically bonding the plasticiser compound directly to PVC by grafting them onto the backbone of the polymer,” explained Sevov. “This is really one of the few examples that we have where there’s this much control over changing the
22 PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | Winter 2025
properties of PVC, so this is the first step in control- lably modifying PVC to give it properties you’re interested in.” The team did, however, run into challenges.
Synthetic polymer modifications often fail because the reactions were originally developed for small-molecule analogues, not big-molecule analogs such as pure PVC. To solve this, research- ers optimised the catalyst they used in their process.
“Many chemists are shifting their efforts to studying big molecules and developing new chemistries for upcycling, recycling and modifying well-known polymers,” Sevov said. “By using the new method, you can potentially
reuse the material many, many more times before it really begins to fall apart, improving its lifetime and reusability.”
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.songwon.com �
www.altek.ae �
https://pmcorganometallix.com �
https://ika-wolfen.de �
www.benvic.com �
www.clariant.com �
www.baerlocher.com �
www.osu.edu �
www.farrel-pomini.com
www.pipeandprofile.com
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