COMPATIBILISERS | MATERIALS
Developments in compatibilising technology are facilitating new opportunities for recycled plastics. Mark Holmes reports on additive companies making immiscible polymers work together
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
Compatibilisation: getting the best from the mix
Despite the increasing appetite for recycled plastics, the industry continues to face a few practical challenges to achieve a scalable adoption of post-consumer recycled (PCR) and post-industrial recycled (PIR) plastic, reports Kraton Corporation. “Inferior PCR/PIR properties due to repeated heat history, unfavourable economics and inconsistent feedstock composition and contamination often limit the end-use applications for recycled plastics and dictate the amount of the recycled content in the product design,” says Holger Jung, Chief Executive Officer, Kraton Polymers. “The use of additives to recycle and upcycle plastics plays an important role in helping formulators overcome these challenges. At Kraton, we understand how critical it is to balance recyclate performance with overall value creation for our customers across the value chain.” However, there are some trends driving new developments. “Evolving consumer expectations around sustainability including their willingness to pay premium for more sustainable products, enhancing producer responsibility and commit-
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ment, and changing regulations are among the key factors driving the market needs,” adds Jung. “One of the key issues is related to achieving virgin-like performance at increasing PCR content in product designs. The goal is to incorporate recycled content without compromising the product’s mechanical properties.” He explains that there are a number of proper-
ties attributed with a specific brand’s products, such as impact and tensile strengths, weight or product aesthetics, shape and colour. In addition to the difference in the cost between PCR and virgin materials, the extra processing steps and process yield loss further make post-consumer resins less attractive. Mixed plastic recycling streams are often harder to process due to the contamination with different resins. Kraton developed and launched its CirKular+ performance enhancement compatibilisers in 2020 to support the industry’s commitment to plastic recycling and circular economy. The company adds that CirKular+ technology employs a holistic
May/June 2023 | PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD 15
Main image: Mixed plastics waste is finding
solutions from additives companies
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