MATERIALS | COMPATIBILISERS
says that its high ratio grafting technology enables easier dispersion of the compatibiliser, leading to better performance at any step of a recycling process and without affecting the recyclability of the final article. NGC adds that instead of creating waste and
Above: New products from SK Functional Polymer target recycled
polymers such as ABS and PC-ABS
0.5% of the additive and at contamination levels of up to 70/30. Nordic Grafting Company (NGC) reports
strong demand for compatibilisers and coupling agents for recycled polymers. “However, the lack of available PIR and PCR materials has pushed compounders, recyclers and converters further in their waste management and sourcing of plastic materials,” says Quentin Le Piouff, Market Develop- ment Manager. “Many players involved with mechanical recycling have begun using previously rejected or challenging waste streams such as mixed polyolefins, highly contaminated polyolefins or flexible multi-layer packaging, enabled by improvements in machinery and by new compatibi- liser solutions. For mixed or multi-layer polymer materials from PIR and PCR, compatibilisation is an ideal solution. It is also good for reducing PIR generation, by enabling the use of in-house recycled plastic into existing products of convert- ers, without lowering end-properties. There is also a demand for a higher functionality rate provided by the additive to enable a low addition ratio, but with guaranteed low VOC and kept properties, which we are working on.” Acti-Tech compatibiliser 16MA11F, compliant with EU10/2011 food regulation, is the latest addition to NGC’s range. The company says this offers recyclers and processers an easy-to-add and universal compatibiliser for polyolefins and engineering plastics (PA, PET, EVOH) blends, and to enhance the value of recycled and virgin materials. It says it represents an ideal solution to upcycle mixed polymer feeds from PIR or PCR, but also from in-house waste, enabling the use of these recycled plastics in new or existing products without lowering end-properties. Acti-Tech com- patibiliser 16MA11F is added at between 2-6wt.% into a mixed recycled polymers formulation. NGC
24 PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD | May/June 2023
material to recycle, packaging converters can now find a suitable outcome for their waste or a higher recycled content in packaging products. “Acti-Tech compatibiliser 16MA11F has shown improved dispersion and decreased domain size of polyam- ide or polyester particles in a polyolefin matrix, such as PA (40%)/PE (60%),” says Le Piouff. “Moreover, the addition of 5% of the compatibiliser in a recycled barrier film – PE (30%)/PP (40%)/PA (25%)/ EVOH (5%) – demonstrated a high recovery of film and optical properties compared to non-compatibi- lised mixtures, as well as cost saving compared to virgin material. Various pre-consumer, post-industri- al and post-consumer waste streams would benefit from this technology such as multi-layer barrier film packaging, shrink sleeves, cosmetic or phytosani- tary containers made by extrusion blow moulding, rigid packaging, reinforced/multi-wall tube and hoses, as well as fishnets, mats and carpets.” Some sources of recycled plastics have low performance or highly heterogeneous properties and therefore require additives to boost perfor- mance back to acceptable values, reports SK Functional Polymer. The company says that its additives compatibilise plastic blends and act as coupling agents in the presence of fillers, as well as improve impact resistance and adjust rheology – up or down – depending on the specifications. “The main incentive for using mechanically
recycled plastics is their lower carbon footprint versus virgin fossil-fuel based resins,” says Richard Perrinaud, Director, Market Development. “Most companies have announced commitments to lower their carbon footprint and see the use of recycled plastics as one way to contribute to the achieve- ment of their carbon footprint target. Regulators are also increasing the incentive to use recycled plastics. These trends are forcing industry to use recycled plastics from lower performing and more contaminated sources. This greatly increases the need for compatibilisers to boost performance.” He continues: “Poor mechanical properties of
recycled resins are the main issue. However, in some industries such as food packaging aesthetics and the fact that mechanical recycled resins are not food contact compliant are also vital. To obtain com- pounds that meet industry requirements, impact performance and rheology are key. SK Functional Polymer has evaluated several solutions to improve
www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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