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Ampacet unveils antiskid technology for flexible packaging
MATERIALS
For the Altana group as a whole, operating sales were up 1% in 1H 2016 although nominal sales fell 1% to E1.064 billion as a result of exchange rate effects and portfolio adjustments. However, the company’s EBITDA grew 19% year on year to E249 million. Contact: Altana AG, Wesel, Germany. Tel: +49 281 670 8, Web: www.altana.com Or contact: BYK-Chemie GmbH, Wesel, Germany. Tel: +49 281 670 0, Web: www.byk.com/additives Or contact: Eckart GmbH, Hartenstein, Germany. Tel: +49 9152 770, Web: www.eckart.net
Ampacet unveils antiskid technology for flexible packaging
T
he AntiSkid range from masterbatch specialist Ampacet Corp is reported to feature innovative additive technology for flexible packaging applications that require a non-slip surface, whether for optimum functionality or for visual and tactile appeal. Containing proprietary organic anti-skid ingredients, the new products are available in a range of particle sizes, similar to medium (100 grit) to coarse (40 grit) sandpaper, the company says. According to Ampacet, particle concentrations can be adjusted higher or lower, depending on the needs of the anti-slip application. AntiSkid can be used in 2 mil (0.05 mm) or thicker multilayer films, and is suitable for blown and cast film and sheet extrusion processes under normal conditions, the company reports. The technology was developed in response to consumer requests for ‘an additive with superior anti-slip properties’, explains Doug Brownfield, Ampacet’s strategic business and marketing manager. AntiSkid is ‘extremely useful’ in applications in which surface texture provides added functionality, he says. In addition to its anti-slip advantages, AntiSkid ‘performs well’ during the extrusion process and can easily be combined with other functional and special effects additives to achieve a ‘wide range of desired visual effects’, Ampacet reports. It offers unique textural and tactile appeal and translucency in flexible packaging, and a variety of dramatic looks are achievable, from antique plate glass to moisture droplets, Brownfield adds. Suggested applications for the new product range include adhesive labels, anti-slip tapes, double-sided tapes, heavy-duty sacks, extruded parts, flooring and decking,
November 2016
roofing membranes and embossed-film tyre wrap alternatives. AntiSkid is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, the company reports, and can be extruded into the film structure for applications such as stand-up food pouches that can be reverse printed for enhanced visual and tactile appeal for added shelf impact. According to Ampacet, it also eliminates the need to overprint a non-slip treatment. Contact: Ampacet Corp, Tarrytown, NY, USA. Tel: +1 914 631 6600, Web: www.ampacet.com
Grafe develops matting agent and melt flow enhancers
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erman masterbatch producer Grafe has developed a matting agent that provides an appealing surface finish combined with improved scratch resistance, the company claims. The additive is incorporated directly in the injection or extrusion process used to manufacture the plastic component, thereby eliminating the need for etched moulds or costly post-production treatments, Grafe explains. In a separate development, the company has introduced additive masterbatches to improve the processing of polyolefins and polyamides. The trend towards matte surfaces has been growing in recent years, the company reports. New automotive vehicle models with an extremely matte surface have become more common on the market in the past few years, standing out clearly from earlier models with a metallic finish. The trend is also noticeable in the consumer goods sector when an elegant, exclusive look is desired. To date, the creation of a modern, matte appearance has typically only been possible by means of expensive reworking or treatments such as sandblasting, painting or the use of in-mould labelling (IML) films, according to Grafe. The matting agent is added into the plastic melt and, even in the case of polished mould surfaces, produces a diffuse light refraction/scattering, the company reports. This creates a ‘matte, satin finish with a velvety feel’, according to Danny Ludwig, director of the Grafe Design Centre. ‘With the help of our matting agent, glossy and matte surface effects can be realized in a single tool’, Ludwig continues. As a result, plastics processors can dispense with the use of an eroded or etched injection mould, which not only saves costs but also adds
Additives for Polymers
3
For the Altana group as a whole, operating sales were up 1% in 1H 2016 although nominal sales fell 1% to E1.064 billion as a result of exchange rate effects and portfolio adjustments. However, the company’s EBITDA grew 19% year on year to E249 million. Contact: Altana AG, Wesel, Germany. Tel: +49 281 670 8, Web: www.altana.com Or contact: BYK-Chemie GmbH, Wesel, Germany. Tel: +49 281 670 0, Web: www.byk.com/additives Or contact: Eckart GmbH, Hartenstein, Germany. Tel: +49 9152 770, Web: www.eckart.net
Ampacet unveils antiskid technology for flexible packaging
T
he AntiSkid range from masterbatch specialist Ampacet Corp is reported to feature innovative additive technology for flexible packaging applications that require a non-slip surface, whether for optimum functionality or for visual and tactile appeal. Containing proprietary organic anti-skid ingredients, the new products are available in a range of particle sizes, similar to medium (100 grit) to coarse (40 grit) sandpaper, the company says. According to Ampacet, particle concentrations can be adjusted higher or lower, depending on the needs of the anti-slip application. AntiSkid can be used in 2 mil (0.05 mm) or thicker multilayer films, and is suitable for blown and cast film and sheet extrusion processes under normal conditions, the company reports. The technology was developed in response to consumer requests for ‘an additive with superior anti-slip properties’, explains Doug Brownfield, Ampacet’s strategic business and marketing manager. AntiSkid is ‘extremely useful’ in applications in which surface texture provides added functionality, he says. In addition to its anti-slip advantages, AntiSkid ‘performs well’ during the extrusion process and can easily be combined with other functional and special effects additives to achieve a ‘wide range of desired visual effects’, Ampacet reports. It offers unique textural and tactile appeal and translucency in flexible packaging, and a variety of dramatic looks are achievable, from antique plate glass to moisture droplets, Brownfield adds. Suggested applications for the new product range include adhesive labels, anti-slip tapes, double-sided tapes, heavy-duty sacks, extruded parts, flooring and decking,
November 2016
roofing membranes and embossed-film tyre wrap alternatives. AntiSkid is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, the company reports, and can be extruded into the film structure for applications such as stand-up food pouches that can be reverse printed for enhanced visual and tactile appeal for added shelf impact. According to Ampacet, it also eliminates the need to overprint a non-slip treatment. Contact: Ampacet Corp, Tarrytown, NY, USA. Tel: +1 914 631 6600, Web: www.ampacet.com
Grafe develops matting agent and melt flow enhancers
G
erman masterbatch producer Grafe has developed a matting agent that provides an appealing surface finish combined with improved scratch resistance, the company claims. The additive is incorporated directly in the injection or extrusion process used to manufacture the plastic component, thereby eliminating the need for etched moulds or costly post-production treatments, Grafe explains. In a separate development, the company has introduced additive masterbatches to improve the processing of polyolefins and polyamides. The trend towards matte surfaces has been growing in recent years, the company reports. New automotive vehicle models with an extremely matte surface have become more common on the market in the past few years, standing out clearly from earlier models with a metallic finish. The trend is also noticeable in the consumer goods sector when an elegant, exclusive look is desired. To date, the creation of a modern, matte appearance has typically only been possible by means of expensive reworking or treatments such as sandblasting, painting or the use of in-mould labelling (IML) films, according to Grafe. The matting agent is added into the plastic melt and, even in the case of polished mould surfaces, produces a diffuse light refraction/scattering, the company reports. This creates a ‘matte, satin finish with a velvety feel’, according to Danny Ludwig, director of the Grafe Design Centre. ‘With the help of our matting agent, glossy and matte surface effects can be realized in a single tool’, Ludwig continues. As a result, plastics processors can dispense with the use of an eroded or etched injection mould, which not only saves costs but also adds
Additives for Polymers
3