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Ampacet masterbatch boosts look and performance of PE recyclate for flexible packaging
MATERIALS
on year to E249 million. The company’s Resource Efficiency segment, which includes the silica business, generated sales of E1.40 billion in 1Q 2019, up 3% compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was principally due to higher selling prices, while volumes were slightly lower. Among other positive factors, Evonik noted that a ‘pleasing trend’ in rubber and tyre applications resulted in higher silica sales. The segment’s adjusted EBITDA rose 2% to E324 million. More information: www.evonik.com
Ampacet masterbatch boosts look and performance of PE recyclate for flexible packaging
I
nternational additive and colour masterbatch producer Ampacet has introduced Blue Edge 226, which has been formulated specifically to augment both the aesthetics and the performance of post-consumer recycled polyethylene (rPE) in packaging applications. According to the company, the new masterbatch can help to enhance the appeal of flexible packaging made from rPE and thereby boost the circular economy. The new Blue Edge 226 product is reported to increase the brightness of rPE films by imparting a lighter, blueish tone, which results in a ‘a clearer, fresher look’ with increased consumer appeal. The masterbatch also reduces the risk of additional gel formation during processing of rPE and minimizes visible defects, Ampacet claims. Blue Edge 226 therefore enables commercially available rPE to be utilized without a detrimental impact on the aesthetics of end-use applications, encouraging the ‘circular’ reuse of such material and thus demonstrating a ‘positive impact on sustainability’, according to the company. Ampacet also recently launched Blue Edge 78, which provides similar enhancements in transparent, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [ADPO, July 2019, p. 2]. These product introductions are in line with recent European Union proposals that aim to boost polymer recycling rates in Europe to advance the region’s circular economy. In related company news, Ampacet and its customer Henkel have recently announced a successful collaboration resulting in the development of fully recyclable black plastic packaging. The packaging incorporates Ampacet’s carbon black-free masterbatch REC-NIR-BLACK [ibid., November
4
Additives for Polymers
2018, pp. 1–2] and has been certified as fully detectable and sortable by Cyclos-HTP, an institute that specializes in the classification, assessment and certification of recyclability of packaging and goods. The new packaging was introduced for black bottles of Henkel’s Bref-branded toilet cleaning products in May 2019, with further Henkel products to follow in the course of 2019. Ampacet’s REC-NIR-BLACK masterbatch was named Product Technology Innovation of the Year at the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe 2019 in April. To further expand its efforts in the area of sustainability, Ampacet has also recently created the position of sustainability director and appointed Doreen Becker to the role. Becker will represent the company’s sustainability initiatives globally, driving the development and execution of its sustainability strategy and product innovation. She will work closely with the plastics industry and major organizations involved in the circular economy, recycling and sustainability, Ampacet says. More information: www.ampacet.com
Milliken reveals its colour trends for 2020
C
olorants and additives producer Milliken has launched its ColorDirection 2020 report, which identifies six colour tones as future trends for the coloration of plastic-based consumer products and packaging. Linked by the theme of ‘Connected Comfort’, the palette of new colours aims to provide ‘differentiation potential in product design’, the company says. According to Milliken, capturing the mood of consumers through effective branding and personalization, as well as understanding how they interact with and experience colour, is an essential marketing exercise for brands and product designers. The company’s new Connected Comfort selection sets out to ‘understand and encapsulate’ the modern consumer’s journey through such colour associations, it says. The six selected colours are Terra Mundo, FirstLove, Purple Dreaming, Planet Green, Relaxing Blue and Green Dawn. Terra Mundo is a warm, sandy brown reminiscent of spices and teas, FirstLove a soft orangey pink colour and Purple Dreaming a rich and deep tone that is described as ‘unmistakably individual’. Planet Green is an emerald hue associated with forests, and Relaxing Blue a light and calming tone, while Green Dawn is a fresh colour evoking ‘the promise of a bright new day’, Milliken says.
August 2019
on year to E249 million. The company’s Resource Efficiency segment, which includes the silica business, generated sales of E1.40 billion in 1Q 2019, up 3% compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was principally due to higher selling prices, while volumes were slightly lower. Among other positive factors, Evonik noted that a ‘pleasing trend’ in rubber and tyre applications resulted in higher silica sales. The segment’s adjusted EBITDA rose 2% to E324 million. More information: www.evonik.com
Ampacet masterbatch boosts look and performance of PE recyclate for flexible packaging
I
nternational additive and colour masterbatch producer Ampacet has introduced Blue Edge 226, which has been formulated specifically to augment both the aesthetics and the performance of post-consumer recycled polyethylene (rPE) in packaging applications. According to the company, the new masterbatch can help to enhance the appeal of flexible packaging made from rPE and thereby boost the circular economy. The new Blue Edge 226 product is reported to increase the brightness of rPE films by imparting a lighter, blueish tone, which results in a ‘a clearer, fresher look’ with increased consumer appeal. The masterbatch also reduces the risk of additional gel formation during processing of rPE and minimizes visible defects, Ampacet claims. Blue Edge 226 therefore enables commercially available rPE to be utilized without a detrimental impact on the aesthetics of end-use applications, encouraging the ‘circular’ reuse of such material and thus demonstrating a ‘positive impact on sustainability’, according to the company. Ampacet also recently launched Blue Edge 78, which provides similar enhancements in transparent, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [ADPO, July 2019, p. 2]. These product introductions are in line with recent European Union proposals that aim to boost polymer recycling rates in Europe to advance the region’s circular economy. In related company news, Ampacet and its customer Henkel have recently announced a successful collaboration resulting in the development of fully recyclable black plastic packaging. The packaging incorporates Ampacet’s carbon black-free masterbatch REC-NIR-BLACK [ibid., November
4
Additives for Polymers
2018, pp. 1–2] and has been certified as fully detectable and sortable by Cyclos-HTP, an institute that specializes in the classification, assessment and certification of recyclability of packaging and goods. The new packaging was introduced for black bottles of Henkel’s Bref-branded toilet cleaning products in May 2019, with further Henkel products to follow in the course of 2019. Ampacet’s REC-NIR-BLACK masterbatch was named Product Technology Innovation of the Year at the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe 2019 in April. To further expand its efforts in the area of sustainability, Ampacet has also recently created the position of sustainability director and appointed Doreen Becker to the role. Becker will represent the company’s sustainability initiatives globally, driving the development and execution of its sustainability strategy and product innovation. She will work closely with the plastics industry and major organizations involved in the circular economy, recycling and sustainability, Ampacet says. More information: www.ampacet.com
Milliken reveals its colour trends for 2020
C
olorants and additives producer Milliken has launched its ColorDirection 2020 report, which identifies six colour tones as future trends for the coloration of plastic-based consumer products and packaging. Linked by the theme of ‘Connected Comfort’, the palette of new colours aims to provide ‘differentiation potential in product design’, the company says. According to Milliken, capturing the mood of consumers through effective branding and personalization, as well as understanding how they interact with and experience colour, is an essential marketing exercise for brands and product designers. The company’s new Connected Comfort selection sets out to ‘understand and encapsulate’ the modern consumer’s journey through such colour associations, it says. The six selected colours are Terra Mundo, FirstLove, Purple Dreaming, Planet Green, Relaxing Blue and Green Dawn. Terra Mundo is a warm, sandy brown reminiscent of spices and teas, FirstLove a soft orangey pink colour and Purple Dreaming a rich and deep tone that is described as ‘unmistakably individual’. Planet Green is an emerald hue associated with forests, and Relaxing Blue a light and calming tone, while Green Dawn is a fresh colour evoking ‘the promise of a bright new day’, Milliken says.
August 2019