MATERIALS | ADDITIVES
quality deficiencies are then often mistaken for compatibility issues, when there is simply a fundamental lack of process stabilisation. When PCR content is increased from 10-15% to
30-50%, processing and final quality typically becomes an issue. “Nobody wants to increase the weight of the part or the thickness of the film to increase PCR content, which goes against sustain- ability and the productivity gains made by the plastics industry,” says Eriksson. “A specific case where we have seen that our additives are useful include maintaining thickness and performance of stretch film with increased PCR content. Another case concerns extrusion blow-moulded rHDPE bottles, where our additive can avoid structural compensations when the PCR content is increased.” The current short term technical requirement is to help brands increase PCR content in rigid and flexible packaging, adds Eriksson. One way of doing this is to increase the amount of high-perfor- mance PCR available. Existing quantities of such materials are highly sought and are in little need of further improvement, even if the potential to improve them further is there. Instead, more value is created if poorer performing materials can be
lifted to a level where they can be introduced into demanding applications currently in place. Baerlocher says that it engages with the entire value chain, working with technology companies and polymer producers to develop more recycle friendly resins that are designed to accept higher PCR content. The company also gets involved with recyclers, helping with additives and optimising processing conditions to preserve the polymer during the melt filtration process. Additionally, it works with converters solving processing and quality problems while increasing PCR content. To do this Baerlocher has invested in application development to improve understanding of using resin stabilisation in extrusion blow moulding. This has involved running production trials with key global equipment companies, such as Erema, Bekum and W Muller, as well as ExxonMobil Chemical, to develop new sustainable plastics for the packaging industry, while also working with recyclers PreZero and Envision Plastics. Baerlocher has developed Baeropol T-Blends,
formulated with its Resin Stabilisation Technology (RST), which is a range of customisable additive blends. These act as an antacid and produce a
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