MATERIALS | ADDITIVES
energy consumption. Conventionally, these PPA additives have been based on fluoropolymers. Because regulators in both the EU and US have included such fluoropolymers in the category of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), they may be subject to restrictions. Some states in the US have made rules, and broader regulations are currently being discussed. Additive and masterbatch suppliers have
Above: Avient’s ColorMatrix AAnchor is a new acetalde- hyde scaven- ger designed to address the challenges of increased rPET content
and US FDA regulations, which makes it suitable for use in food contact, the company says. Avient’s latest for PET packaging is ColorMatrix
AAnchor, a new acetaldehyde (AA) scavenger designed to address the challenges of increased rPET content. AA, a volatile compound that is a byproduct of PET processing, can potentially cause off-taste in bottle contents. Higher levels of rPET in a compound often require higher levels of AA scavengers to control AA. Avient said that ColorMa- trix AAnchor has low migration risk and does not form primary aromatic amines (both of which can be a problem for anthranilamide-based AA scavengers). This low migration tendency is particularly
important for reducing the risk of exceeding regulatory limits for the additive in closed-loop recycling systems. In addition, the new additive has improved thermal stability, so that it will not sublime or deposit on processing equipment or moulds during processing. Avient said the new additive is compliant with European food contact regulations, and FDA approval is anticipated in 2024. Ampacet’s new AA Scavenger 0846 reduces AA
migration from bottle walls by up to 80%, the company reports. The additive can allow the use of higher percentages of rPET in bottles by protecting the contents from off-taste. The amount of additive required depends on the rPET content and processing conditions. Another new masterbatch for PET and rPET is Ampacet’s PET UVA, an FDA- approved masterbatch to protect packaging contents from UV light damage.
Processing aids Polymer processing aids (PPAs) are often used in compounds for blown or cast film (especially in LLDPE) to reduce melt fracture (ie, sharkskin) in the film as well as to prevent buildup of material on the die. PPAs can also reduce die pressure and lower
30 PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD | March/April 2024
recently introduced PFAS-free PPAs that are not based on fluorine chemistries. Reports indicate that some new PPA additives have been shown to clear melt fracture faster than conventional fluoropoly- mer PPAs. Siloxane-free processing aids have also been introduced, in response to the European Chemical Agency’s categorisation of the short- chain oligomers in siloxanes as substances of very high concern (SVHC). New PPA additives without PFAS or siloxane include Baerlocher’s Baerolub Aid PPAs and Evonik’s Tego XP 21052. Dover is offering the company’s DoverClear PPA in masterbatch form. Evonik’s family of organo-modified siloxane
(OMS) processing aids includes two non-fluorine PPA masterbatches for films: Tegomer 6810 for PE films and Tegomer 6850 for PP films. These master- batches have US FDA food-contact approval, and they are under review for food-contact approval review with other agencies globally. A new OMS PPA additive from Evonik, Tego XP 21051, already has food contact approval globally, including FDA approval for up to 0.2% in the final product. New masterbatches with PFAS-free type PPAs have also been introduced by suppliers such as Ampacet, Kafrit, Tosaf, and Techmer PM. Ingenia Polymers, a global supplier of compounds and masterbatches headquartered in Canada, recently introduced three PFAS-free PPA masterbatches (IP1170, IP1171, and ITZ-526) that have been found to perform well in clearing sharkskin melt fracture and preventing die-lip buildup.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.basf.com �
www.clariant.com �
www.adeka.co.jp �
www.doverchem.com/doverclear �
www.baerlocher.com �
www.lifocolor.de �
www.ampacet.com �
www.avient.com �
https://siigroup.com �
www.milliken.com �
www.evonik.com �
www.ingeniapolymers.com
www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com
IMAGE: THINKSTOCK/AVIENT
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