MATERIALS | COLOUR AND MASTERBATCH
IMAGE: BROADWAY
packaging in place of carbon black to enable thorough waste-sorting. It also displayed Microlen Blue 7460 Eco, which is certified by EN 13432 and designed for bio-compostable plastics – adding to colouring options between PCN green and blue.
Above: Broadway’s MasterFoam blowing agent helps cut part weight and speed up production
said Andreas Berger, CFOO at the company. In addition, the company has invested €6 million
to expand its Nyíregyháza production facility in Hungary. The expansion plan includes adding 2,200 sq m of floor space to the main production area and warehouse, and building a two-storey office building covering around 800 sq m. This will double the total floor space, allowing the company to install more extruders and add to its workforce. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Green masterbatch At Fakuma last year, Sun Chemical demonstrated a number of its sustainable masterbatches. Its Sicoveral B biodegradable masterbatches are designed to reduce environmental impact, with bio-degradable carrier systems that are aimed at applications requiring a shorter lifecycle. In addition, its Sicolen Eco and Sicoversal Eco
grades also have bio-based carriers. They are made from renewable resources, offering an eco-friendly alternative to fossil-based products without compromising on performance. The company also offers Sicolen R with a
recycled carrier. These masterbatches maximise the recycling content in the final product, contributing to a circular economy, it says. “Our range of technologies and our ability to
innovate in response to market trends sets us apart,” said Kai Sörensen, director of business management for colour materials at Sun Chemical. “This, combined with our broad portfolio capabili- ties, makes us the ideal technological partner.” More recently, the company showed a range of
grades for plastics recycling at Chinaplas. These included Sicopal Black K 0098 FK, which has heat stability, global food contact compliance (including China GB 9685). It has been adopted in food
26 INJECTION WORLD | May/June 2024
Saving weight UK-based Broadway Colours put its MasterFoam chemical blowing agent through extensive trials last year. MasterFoam instigates a reaction that creates a foaming effect while a plastic melt is being injec- tion moulding. The foam expands as the thermo- plastic cools in the mould. This process offsets the tendency for the moulded part to shrink while cooling – which reduces sink marks. As the material hardens, a foam structure forms
– which reduces density. This means less polymer is needed to fill the mould cavity, so less is required for the production run. It can cut material costs by up to 10%, says the company. It also means that the moulded component is lighter. “We’ve been delighted with the results we’ve
seen from customer trials over the past year,” said Stephen Rayner, technical manager at Broadway. Following one trial, one partner identified potential savings of 105 tonnes of polymer – over a five-year period – in two small packaging compo- nents that it moulded for a consumer goods company. This equated to more than £100,000 in material costs. It offers further benefit to companies that are subject to the UK Plastic Packaging Tax – by reducing in the volumes of polymer being pro- cessed. The viscosity of the MasterFoam melt is lower
than pure polymer, due to bubbles forming in the melt. This results in a smoother, quicker injection stage. Shot speed is increased, as the polymer must be ‘short shot’ into the mould (to allow for later expansion of the foam). Cooling times are also typically reduced, which all contributes to a reduced cycle time and reduced energy demand. The injection-grade endothermic blowing agent is a made-to-order material.
“It allows our customers to achieve ‘more for
less’, and provides a significant weight saving in the final moulded component,” said Rayner.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.ampacet.com �
www.avient.com �
www.grafe.com �
www.gabriel-chemie.com �
www.sunchemical.com �
www.broadwaycolours.com
www.injectionworld.com
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