MATERIALS | TECHNOLOGY RECYCLING


Additives add performance to various recycled plastics


BASF has developed IrgaCycle, a range of additives that improve the properties of mechanically recycled plastics. Many areas of the plastics industry – includ- ing film and sheet – are looking to use more recyclate in their products. To do this effectively, converters need to ensure that plastics that have been through the heat and mechanical stress of recycling retain their physical properties. These properties can also be affected by impurities and polymer contaminants that accelerate degradation. “The production of plastics from mechanical recycling is expected to almost triple by 2030, driven by improved technologies and regula- tion,” said Thomas Kloster,


ADDITIVES Graphene for polymer composites


UK-based masterbatch manufacturer Colloids is developing a new facility to make bespoke polymer compos- ites using its graphene masterbatch technology – called Graphanced. Colloids has been working on its


graphene R&D for more than seven years, through a number of collabora- tions with leading graphene produc- ers. This work has led to the formula- tion of novel polymer composites. As a result, Colloids can now offer bespoke solutions to its customers. “We are proud to have achieved


www.filmandsheet.com


some remarkable developments in this field and are now working with major customers in the commerciali- sation of these products,” said Marios Michailidis, new product develop- ment manager at Colloids, who was instrumental in developing the Graphanced masterbatches. In addition to its bespoke service,


Colloids plans to commercialise new products with enhanced functionality based on graphene and other 2D materials and nanomaterials. � www.colloids.com


April 2022 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 41


president of BASF’s perfor- mance chemicals division. “This corresponds to a growth of 10% per year.” The IrgaCycle range includes additives that can increase the percentage of recycled content in end-use applications including those in packaging. They address specific quality issues of recycled resins, such as limited processability, poor long-term thermal stability and insufficient protection from outdoor weathering. The company has begun with five grades, but this will be expanded in future. One is of particular interest to film and sheet manufactur- ers: IrgaCycle PS 031 G improves processing and long-term thermal stability of recycled LDPE and LLDPE – for incorporation into films and related flexible packag- ing applications.


Other grades also have potential use in film and sheet – such as IrgaCycle PS 032 G, which provides “processing stability and long-term thermal protec- tion for recycled PP and polyolefin blends containing impurities”.


An advantage of the blends is in their ready-to- use product forms, which are easy to apply in the recycling steps. The granu- lated, non-dusting product form ensures safe and easy dosage during converting or compounding. Volker Bach, global lead


innovation at BASF plastic additives, added: “With our global setup, we can engage across the entire value chain of the recycling industry – be it with brand owners or converters alike, and in all regions.” � www.basf.com


ADDITIVES


Omya’s recycled


CaCO3 Omya has introduced a range of certified recycled calcium carbon- ate (CaCO3


) fillers. The Omyaloop grades


are made at its site in Avenza in Italy from selected waste material from other mineral processing industries. Applications are seen


in areas such as recycled PE for PE refuse sacks, where it can improve the dispersion of polymer components. “To use the semantics


of the plastics industry, Omyaloop is a post- industrial recycled material,” according to Omya’s Olivier Seyvet. Omya says that the carbon footprint is comparable to that of conventional grades of calcium carbonate. � www.omya.com


IMAGE: COLLOIDS


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