ADDITIVES | COMPATIBILISERS
packaging waste solutions, Interface Polymers is conducting testing in preparation for RecyClass certification. The company also plans to pursue food contact approvals as it moves towards commercial use, with customers currently running commercial-scale trials. “Polarfin technology is versatile and can be optimised for different applications by customising the monomer composition of the diblock copoly- mer,” Rattanopas said. “We’re aiming to solve compatibility challenges that existing technologies haven’t been able to address.”
Effect of Polarfin PD41 addition rate on PA domain size, haze, and clarity in recycled (80/20) PE/PA blends. Increasing Polarfin content leads to a reduction in PA domain size, with notable improvements in haze and clarity observed at 2% addition and beyond Source: Interface Polymers
Tear strength of recycled (80/20) PE/PA blends as a function of Polarfin PD41 addition rate. Tear strength in both machine (MD) and transverse directions (TD) increases with Polarfin content, reaching an optimum at around 2% addition. Baseline LDPE values are shown for comparison Source: Interface Polymers
of using PCR as recycled content without compro- mising performance. “Companies are targeting a minimum of 30%
recycled content to comply with UK recycling regulations and are aiming for fully recyclable packaging to meet EU PPWR [Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation] targets,” said Rattano- pas. “The amount of Polarfin PD41 in the formula- tion can be optimised based on the desired physical characteristics. Increasing the compatibi- liser dosage improves haze and clarity in recycled PE/PA blends, while optimal film strength is typically achieved at around 2% Polarfin PD41.” Supported by an Innovate UK grant for flexible
38 PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD | May/June 2025
PE contaminant SK Functional Polymer has added to its line of Lotader recycling agents, which includes a range of solutions, including products used for compatibilis- ing EVOH (used in oxygen barrier films) with PE. Most recently, the company is evaluating compati- bilisers for recycled PET or PA 6 with PE, where small amounts of PE can contaminate the PET or PA 6 stream and degrade properties. Lotader AX8850 is a random ethylene-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (E-GMA). Nico Esselin, Mechanical Recycling Market Development Manager at SK, said that the chemistry improved compatibility and mechanical resistance even at a high level of PE (20%) in PET. “As shown in the figure, the use of only 5 wt% Lotader AX8850 increases the PET/PE (80/20 wt%) blend elongation at break from 2%, without compatibiliser, to 41%,” said Esselin. “Under the same conditions, Charpy notched impact resistance increases from 1 kJ/m² to 9 kJ/m² at room temperature and from 0.8 kJ/m² to 5.5 kJ/m² at -30°C.” Another SK terpolymer, Lotader 3410, is an ethylene–butyl acrylate–maleic anhydride (MAH) terpolymer with a high ethylene and MAH content that efficiently compatibilises PE into PA, said Esselin. As shown in the Figure, 10% Lotader 3410 enhances elongation at break and impact strength at room temperature and low temperature in a blend of 75% PA/25% PE. The compatibiliser helps restore the properties of PA that are degraded by even low levels of PE.
Enhancing recyclate Dow offers both reactive and non-reactive com- patibilisers that improve adhesion between different polymer types and different fillers or fibres that may be found in a recycling stream. Fusabond Functional Polymers help disperse contaminants (such as PE in a matrix of PA or PA in a matrix of PE) and improve interfacial adhesion. In recycled polyesters (eg PET, PBT), Dow’s Elvaloy copolymers
www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46
