MATERIALS | COLOURS AND MASTERBATCH
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Building and construction masterbatch pellets from Americhem
that could last more than 50 years is much more sustainable than a wooden fence that quickly weathers, deteriorates, and must be painted with harmful chemicals that give off VOCs. The role of the colour and masterbatch supplier to the injection moulding industry is also changing. “The days of being just a colour house are quickly fading as customers’ demands increase and they lean more towards multifunctional masterbatches and companies that can offer a full spectrum of solutions,” says Hellstern. “These include custom solutions and mass customisation. Speed to market and automation are also key factors. Other reasons why customers want a solution provider instead of a colour house include greater cost efficiency, efficient manufacturing and a reduction in value chain responsibilities that allows them to focus on their speciality.
“Sustainability has become such a huge disrup- tor in the plastics industry that emerging technolo- gies in materials science, 3D printing, and biomate- rials have started to turn the industry upside down. The faster these technologies emerge, the faster manufacturers have to adapt and continue the descent to the bottom to have the least amount of environmental impact possible.” A recent addition to the company’s range of masterbatches is InLube PCECO130, a wear resistant alloy based on a polycarbonate that provides good lubrication for optimum wear and friction performance without the use of PTFE. Americhem was able to eliminate the use of PTFE in the product and create an alloy that has good wear resistance in plastic-on-metal and plastic-on-plastic applications. Americhem says that there are applica- tions across many industries, including medical devices, data storage and business equipment. InLube PCECO130 is available in standard and high
High impact PP copolymer stadium seating at the Orlando City Soccer Club, where Americhem supplied highly chromatic colours developed to withstand harsh exterior environments and long term exposure
50 INJECTION WORLD | July/August 2019
flow grades dependent on customer needs. FR grades are under development. Americhem has also worked with a large North American seating partner to provide high impact PP copolymer stadium seating at the Orlando City Soccer Club. The customer wanted highly chro- matic colours developed that would withstand harsh exterior environments and long term exposure. They also wanted a section of 49 rainbow coloured seats to honour the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. Americhem says that it designed a stabilised product able to stand up to the rigorous weathering testing required. In another recent case study, a fencing producer was having trouble getting good weathering performance in dark colour spaces due to low quality weathering capabilities that led to excessive colour fade of the product. Americhem changed the customer’s material from a blend to 100% Amer- ichem eCap technology that was colour matched to what they were currently selling. Changing over to this grade material with added weathering benefits offered far superior performance. Environmental issues will also continue to influence developments, says Hellstern. “We have invested in R&D in many environmentally-friendly projects such as biomaterials and colouring sustainable materials to be used in a variety of end applications and those are the types of develop- ments we will continue pursuing. Examples include rice hulls, cellulose, coconut, flax, wood flour, pecan shells, wheat straw and sisal, which have been used to make a variety of base resins that we coloured for automotive interiors. We are also producing building and construction products that last 30-50 years compared with non-sustainable materials.” RTP Company reports that injection moulders and their customers continue to be concerned with consistent colour and global availability. “In addition, they are seeking more guidance with
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PHOTO: AMERICHEM
PHOTO: AMERICHEM
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