ADDITIVES | MATERIALS
Upcycling is the new theme for additives producers
Improving the quality and performance of recycled plastics is key to their acceptance in demanding applications. Additives producers believe their products can help. David Eldridge finds out more about their work
There has been a burst of activity among plastics additive suppliers keen to show how their products can help recycled plastics be used in new applica- tions. Their rationale is that barriers to reusing plastics due to quality concerns can be overcome by incorporating additives that restore or enhance properties of recyclates so that they perform as well as virgin material. The suppliers range from large groups demonstrating a broad portfolio of additive products to specialists in stabilisers, chain modifiers, melt flow enhancers, impact modifiers, dispersion aids and other products. K2019 in October gave these companies a high-profile opportunity to show new additives and master- batches, present portfolios around a circularity theme, and discuss with converters, compounders and recyclers their material requirements. A prime example of this new focus on upcycling additives could be seen at the K2019 stand of
www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com
Clariant’s masterbatch business – which has since been merged with PolyOne and is now named Avient. Applications using additive masterbatches were displayed among others highlighting colour masterbatches, while partner companies made presentations on circularity to visitors under the Symphony of Collaboration banner adopted by Clariant at the exhibition. Speaking to Plastics Recycling World at Clariant’s K2019 stand, Jan Sültemeyer, Global Head of Innovation and Sustainability, said collaboration along the supply chain is vital for the growth of recyclate in more and more applications. “Everyone will have to learn how to work with recycled material,” he said. The EcoCircle approach launched by Clariant
last year brings together expertise from all areas, including pigments, additives and functional minerals. The idea is to build up the science of plastics circularity and then share it with partners,
July/August 2020 | PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD 25
Main image: Wax-based additives for polymer compounds from Völpker Spezialprodukte, one of the producers now targeting recyclate
IMAGE: VÖLPKER
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