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Axel introduces antiblock to ease processing of TPE, TPR
Additives for Polymers
October 2006
MATERIALS
fied organic fatty acid, esters and amine with wetting agents and surfactants.
DuPont launches new additive to extend PLA applications
Typically, MoldWiz ABC-15 is used in the cooling bath during the resin pelletizing process, imparting a surface treatment to the finished pellets that helps prevent agglomeration of the pellets in shipping and storage. It can also be used as a surface treatment for tacky elastomers, by spraying or dipping to deposit a light film on the surface. The company says that the use of the new antiblocking agent to improve processing and conveying of sticky resins poses no risk to secondary moulding processes as the formulation is free from metallic stearates and silicones and is safe for food contact in accordance with CFR chapter 21 under parts 175.300.
Dupont has announced the commercial availability of DuPont™ Biomax® Strong, a new additive that increases the utility of bio-based, biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) packaging. Considered a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, PLA is derived from the fermentation of agricultural by-products and is also biodegradable when composted industrially, giving it considerable appeal within the packaging industry. However, adoption has been hindered by performance deficiencies compared to conventional plastics, including brittleness and decreased durability. According to DuPont Packaging, its new petrochemical additive helps to overcome these shortcomings by improving the toughness and reducing the brittleness of PLA materials. When used in rigid applications like cast sheets for thermoforming, Biomax Strong is said to enhance the impact strength, flexibility and melt stability of PLA. Used at recommended levels, the impact to transparency of the final containers is minimal and the material meets the requirements for compostability, the company says. The company is planning to make two grades of the additive available. Biomax Strong 100 is available now and was developed for packaging markets where no food regulatory compliance is necessary. In addition, Biomax 120 has been developed to comply with food contact regulatory requirements and is expected to be available in three to six months. Contact: DuPont Packaging, Barley Mill Plaza 26-2122, Lancaster Pike & Route 141, PO Box 80026, Wilmington, DE 19880-0026, USA; tel: +1-302-992-5225; fax: +1-302-992-3495; URL: www.dupont.com
Axel introduces antiblock to ease processing of TPE, TPR Axel Plastics Research Laboratories has launched a new antiblocker designed to improve the processing and conveyance of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and rubber (TPR). MoldWiz ABC-15 is a waterborne formulation of emulsi2
Contact: Axel Plastics Research Laboratories Inc, 5820 Broadway, Woodside, NY 11377, USA; tel: +1-718-672-8300; fax: +1-718-5657447; URL: www.axelplastics.com
Calcium stearates from Ferro improve surface quality Ferro Corp’s Organic Specialties Group (formerly the Polymer Additives Division) has developed two new calcium stearates designed to improve the surface quality in surface-critical applications of rigid PVC and polyolefin. According to the company, Calcium Stearate 500 and 600 maintain the functionality of calcium stearate as an acid scavenger and lubricant but also improve product quality in applications that have a high sensitivity to surface imperfections, such as PVC window profiles and siding and polyolefin films for consumer packaging. They are said to provide a step change improvement in performance compared to traditional calcium stearate products as measured by the Filtration Index, yet are more economical than high-cost precipitated products. They also reportedly improve throughput of polyolefin fibres by reducing the need for cleanouts of clogged dies. According to Paul Angus, Ferro’s business director for Lubricants, the new products were developed by working with customers to define product requirements and assembling a dedicated team to optimize the production process. Both powder and granular forms of the surface-critical calcium stearates are available.
October 2006
MATERIALS
fied organic fatty acid, esters and amine with wetting agents and surfactants.
DuPont launches new additive to extend PLA applications
Typically, MoldWiz ABC-15 is used in the cooling bath during the resin pelletizing process, imparting a surface treatment to the finished pellets that helps prevent agglomeration of the pellets in shipping and storage. It can also be used as a surface treatment for tacky elastomers, by spraying or dipping to deposit a light film on the surface. The company says that the use of the new antiblocking agent to improve processing and conveying of sticky resins poses no risk to secondary moulding processes as the formulation is free from metallic stearates and silicones and is safe for food contact in accordance with CFR chapter 21 under parts 175.300.
Dupont has announced the commercial availability of DuPont™ Biomax® Strong, a new additive that increases the utility of bio-based, biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) packaging. Considered a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, PLA is derived from the fermentation of agricultural by-products and is also biodegradable when composted industrially, giving it considerable appeal within the packaging industry. However, adoption has been hindered by performance deficiencies compared to conventional plastics, including brittleness and decreased durability. According to DuPont Packaging, its new petrochemical additive helps to overcome these shortcomings by improving the toughness and reducing the brittleness of PLA materials. When used in rigid applications like cast sheets for thermoforming, Biomax Strong is said to enhance the impact strength, flexibility and melt stability of PLA. Used at recommended levels, the impact to transparency of the final containers is minimal and the material meets the requirements for compostability, the company says. The company is planning to make two grades of the additive available. Biomax Strong 100 is available now and was developed for packaging markets where no food regulatory compliance is necessary. In addition, Biomax 120 has been developed to comply with food contact regulatory requirements and is expected to be available in three to six months. Contact: DuPont Packaging, Barley Mill Plaza 26-2122, Lancaster Pike & Route 141, PO Box 80026, Wilmington, DE 19880-0026, USA; tel: +1-302-992-5225; fax: +1-302-992-3495; URL: www.dupont.com
Axel introduces antiblock to ease processing of TPE, TPR Axel Plastics Research Laboratories has launched a new antiblocker designed to improve the processing and conveyance of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and rubber (TPR). MoldWiz ABC-15 is a waterborne formulation of emulsi2
Contact: Axel Plastics Research Laboratories Inc, 5820 Broadway, Woodside, NY 11377, USA; tel: +1-718-672-8300; fax: +1-718-5657447; URL: www.axelplastics.com
Calcium stearates from Ferro improve surface quality Ferro Corp’s Organic Specialties Group (formerly the Polymer Additives Division) has developed two new calcium stearates designed to improve the surface quality in surface-critical applications of rigid PVC and polyolefin. According to the company, Calcium Stearate 500 and 600 maintain the functionality of calcium stearate as an acid scavenger and lubricant but also improve product quality in applications that have a high sensitivity to surface imperfections, such as PVC window profiles and siding and polyolefin films for consumer packaging. They are said to provide a step change improvement in performance compared to traditional calcium stearate products as measured by the Filtration Index, yet are more economical than high-cost precipitated products. They also reportedly improve throughput of polyolefin fibres by reducing the need for cleanouts of clogged dies. According to Paul Angus, Ferro’s business director for Lubricants, the new products were developed by working with customers to define product requirements and assembling a dedicated team to optimize the production process. Both powder and granular forms of the surface-critical calcium stearates are available.