MATERIALS | MASTERBATCH
grades for sulphur resistance, while the second, UVA 07160 LD, has superior performance. In a 36-month field test, with exposure to 3000 ppm of sulphur, the first grade retained 53% of its tensile strength (comparable to standard grades), while the second retained 68%. In a separate test, the researchers found that the
first grade was still blocking 70% of UV after three years in the field. Kafrit has also developed ‘bee friendly’ stabilis- ers – which ‘match’ the UV light with those wave- lengths that particularly affect bees. “There is correlation between UV light transmis- sion and pollination activity,” said Schwarz. And, while greenhouse film is generally used to
Above: Avient showed a range of colour and additive solutions at this year’s Chinaplas
Colour solutions Avient presented a range of colour and additive solutions at Chinaplas recently. Solutions at the show included: Cesa non-PFAS
process aids for applications such as polyolefin film; Hydrocerol chemical foaming agents, which reduce material consumption in extruded parts; and oxygen scavengers such as ColorMatrix Amosorb 4020L, which can extend the shelf life of rigid packaging without affecting recyclability. It also showed two Colorant Chromatics ser-
vices, including its Conductive Formulations – for controlled dispersion and high-quality carbon black, enables high-temperature extrusion with higher line speed. “We’re committed to helping the plastics industry follow the latest regulations while enhanc- ing product performance and making manufactur- ing more cost-effective,” said Say-Eng Lee, vice president and general manager for colours and additives in Asia at Avient.
Maximum growth At the recent AMI conference on agricultural film, Kafrit presented details of additive masterbatches that can help greenhouse films to promote plant growth. The masterbatches, with UV stabilisers, claim to have superior sulphur resistance. The films have been tested in trials at the Besor Research Station. Here, they were used to construct walk-in tunnels that were subjected to 160 kL/year of sulphur. While typical NOR-based solutions lasted between 24 and 33 months, one proprietary grade lasted 36 months, said Hanna Schwartz, development and technical services manager at Kafrit. Kafrit has developed two proprietary grades. One, UVA 00701 LD, competes with standard NOR-based
26 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | June 2025
raise interior temperatures, they can also be used to manage this with special ‘cooling IR’ masterbatches. Kafrit carried out three-year field trials with tomato crops. Using its IR 20575 LD masterbatch, it pro- duced greenhouse film that typically led to the internal temperature being 5°C lower than the external temperature. This led to a 9% higher yield under the cooling film.
PFAS-free
US-based masterbatch producer Badger Color says both its manufacturing facilities have moved to
using PFAS-free raw materials. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a
group of persistent synthetic chemicals in the environment that can affect human health. By
eliminating PFAS-containing raw materials from its manufacturing, Badger says it will minimise environmental impact and prioritise the health of its employees and customers. “Our decision to go PFAS-free in raw material
sourcing underscores our dedication to sustainabil- ity and product safety,” said John Grabski, director of production and technology at Badger Color Concentrates. “We have worked with our suppliers to ensure all raw materials in our masterbatch and liquid formulations are free from PFAS com- pounds.”
Badger says it will continue to invest in research and development – aiming to identify alternative materials and processes that enhance the sustain- ability and safety of its products. Thomas Bernhardt, general manager of Badger Color, added: “Our deliberate transition to using
PFAS-free raw materials is a critical advance in our ongoing commitment to sustainable practices.”
UK takeover Prisma Colour says it is now the UK’s largest independent thermoplastic masterbatch manufac-
www.filmandsheet.com
IMAGE: AVIENT
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