ODOUR REDUCTION | TECHNOLOGY


Odour absorbers are technically “adsorbers” as they bind the odour molecules to their surface rather than absorb or soak them up like a sponge, explains Simmons. “These can be non-specific or actually designed to absorb particular identified molecules causing the odour. The non-specific type are materials with high surface areas or natural zeolites that can adsorb the volatile odour mol- ecules onto the activated surface.” Synthetic zeolites can be designed with pore size and structure specifically to adsorb the target molecule or molecules. Odour adsorbers can be effective at reducing the odour of finished products, although Simmons says success is more limited with strong odours, such as recycled feedstock contami- nated with stale wine or diesel. “Due to being relatively expensive, odour adsorbers have strug- gled to find extensive use, especially in the recycled market. As is often the case with additives, the successful final application will be one where the cost of the solution is compensated for by the added value provided to the final product.”


Bio-based UBQ Materials’ biobased thermoplastic material, produced from mixed organic waste streams, is blended with other plastics for improved sustain- ability in building and construction, consumer durables, supply chain, and automotive applica- tions. To meet the strict odour requirements for car interiors, UBQ developed Nclozur, an odour-reduc- ing additive for modifying its UBQ ClimaPos materi- als (which are used at 5-25% as additives in plastics compounds) and its UBQ Q-Series material replacements (used at more than 25% in plastics compounds). “Overcoming the issues associated with odour can be a stumbling block for some sustainable materials, as bio-based materials and recycled polymers have odours,” says Gil Felus, COO and CIO at UBQ Materials. Although geared toward automotive, the Nclozur modifier can be used in any application that needs odour reduction. Ampacet’s latest additive masterbatch for


protecting products from off-tastes and unpleasant odours is Organoleptic Preserver 1363, which is designed to capture off-tasting components present in polyolefin packaging. The company says that because food and beverages often come in direct contact with the packaging, low levels of flavour contaminants can migrate from the packag- ing to the product, affecting organoleptic proper- ties and negatively impacting the perceived quality of the contents, which can lead to food waste. The additive does not affect colour or optical properties


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of the final product and performs well at high processing temperatures. Acetaldehyde (AA) is a degradation product of


PET that is known to cause odours and off-taste, particularly in water bottle applications, which are very sensitive to organoleptic properties.Avient’s latest solution for this problem is ColorMatrix AAnchor technology, which has been designed specifically to address increased recycled PET (rPET) content in PET food and beverage packaging. “Higher rPET content often requires more AA scavenger, which can lead to issues related to accumulation, such as migration and increased risk of exceeding regulatory migration limits,” says Avient. “One of the standout features of ColorMa- trix AAnchor is a very low tendency for migration, thereby reducing the risk of exceeding regulatory limits, even in closed-loop recycling systems where accumulation and migration risk are highest. Improved thermal stability also offers improved processability, avoiding processing issues related to sublimation and deposition on equipment and molds, helping to improve efficiency and throughput.” Avient says ColorMatrix AAnchor has low


migration risk and does not form primary aromatic amines. It meets the highest standards of food safety and complies with EU regulations. FDA approval is anticipated in 2024.


CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: � www.coperion.com � www.zeppelin-systems.com � www.aimplas.es � www.caiadditives.com � https://addisperse.us � www.evonik.com � www.quarzwerke.com � www.wellspm.com � www.ubqmaterials.com � www.ampacet.com � www.avient.com


October 2024 | PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD 43


Above: Avient’s ColorMatrix AAnchor technology addresses acetaldehyde which causes odours and off-taste in recycled PET


IMAGE: AVIENT


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