- Email: [email protected]
“Global production capacities will increase”
capacities will increase" Editor:
Mark Holmes Tel: +44 1865 843441 E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
www.addcomp.com
Editorial Office: Elsevier Limited, PO Box 150, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1AS, UK. Fax: +44 1865 843973 Email: [email protected] Key Account Manager: Mark Sherman Tel: +44 1865 843208; Fax: +44 1865 843973 E-mail: [email protected] Advertising Sales Manager: Naomi Reeves Tel: +44 1865 843271; Fax: +44 1865 843973 E-mail: [email protected] Advertising Copy Controller Tel: +44 1865 843808; Fax: +44 1865 843873; E-mail: [email protected] Production/Design Controller: Colin Williams Published by Elsevier Limited An annual subscription to Plastics Additives and Compounding includes six printed issues and costs 512 for all European countries & Iran, US$573 for all countries except Europe and Japan, ¥67,800 for Japan. (Prices valid until 31/12/08) Please send payment to: Plastics Additives and Compounding Elsevier Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxon, OX5 1GB, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1865 843687 Fax: +44 (0) 1865 834971 Email: [email protected]. www.addcomp.com
Editorial
"Global production
The bioploymer industry may still be in its infancy, but the growth figures are impressive. Industry experts predict that global production capacities will increase from 260 kilotonnes in 2007 to 1500 kilotonnes in 2011. While there are still a great many things to consider inside and outside the industry about the growth of this sector, the commercial use of biopolymers has certainly arrived and plastics additives are playing a key role. Impact modifiers, melt strength modifers, optical brighteeners, slip and antiblocking agents, among others, have all been introduced by additive manufacturers to improve the properties of polymers produced from renewable resources. Our look at the current state of the biopolymer industry starts on page 22.
Two other articles in this issue feature additives that have previously been overlooked for use in thermoplastic compounds. Boron nitride has long been used in thermosetting polymers. However, as our feature on pages 26-31 demonstrates, boron nitride can now be considered for use in thermoplastics to improve thermal conductivity and wear resistance, as well being used as a processing aid, nucleating agent and foaming agent. Graphite's relatively low electrical performance and its negative impact on mechanical properties has seen its exclusion from a wide range of applications. However, the availability of expanded graphite and the increasing demand for thermally conductive compounds is now changing this situation. Turn to page 40 to read about developments in this area. On the other hand titanium dioxide is certainly not a newcomer to thermoplastic compounding. However, there are new developments now happening in a number of areas that offer potentially significant benefits - see pages 36-39. Finally, melt filtration is an important issue in many compounding operations. However, there are a number of different ways to do this and choosing the correct system for an application poses a number of questions. Read our report on selecting screen changers, starting on page 32.
Periodicals postage is paid at Rahway, NJ 07065, USA. Postmaster send all USA address corrections to Plastics Additives & Compounding, 365 Blair Road, Avenel, NJ 07001, USA. Marketing & Circulation: Tom Cox, Elsevier Limited, PO Box 150, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1AS, UK. Tel: +44 1865 843654; Fax: +44 1865 843971 Email: [email protected] Free Circulation enquiries to: Tower House, Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9EF Tel: +44-1858 439612; Fax: +44-1858 434958 Email: [email protected] Front cover photographs: Licenced from Shutterstock (Main); Kreyenborg GmbH.
Plastics Additives & Compounding May/June 2008
Mark Holmes Tel: +44 1865 843441 E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
www.addcomp.com
Editorial Office: Elsevier Limited, PO Box 150, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1AS, UK. Fax: +44 1865 843973 Email: [email protected] Key Account Manager: Mark Sherman Tel: +44 1865 843208; Fax: +44 1865 843973 E-mail: [email protected] Advertising Sales Manager: Naomi Reeves Tel: +44 1865 843271; Fax: +44 1865 843973 E-mail: [email protected] Advertising Copy Controller Tel: +44 1865 843808; Fax: +44 1865 843873; E-mail: [email protected] Production/Design Controller: Colin Williams Published by Elsevier Limited An annual subscription to Plastics Additives and Compounding includes six printed issues and costs 512 for all European countries & Iran, US$573 for all countries except Europe and Japan, ¥67,800 for Japan. (Prices valid until 31/12/08) Please send payment to: Plastics Additives and Compounding Elsevier Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxon, OX5 1GB, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1865 843687 Fax: +44 (0) 1865 834971 Email: [email protected]. www.addcomp.com
Editorial
"Global production
The bioploymer industry may still be in its infancy, but the growth figures are impressive. Industry experts predict that global production capacities will increase from 260 kilotonnes in 2007 to 1500 kilotonnes in 2011. While there are still a great many things to consider inside and outside the industry about the growth of this sector, the commercial use of biopolymers has certainly arrived and plastics additives are playing a key role. Impact modifiers, melt strength modifers, optical brighteeners, slip and antiblocking agents, among others, have all been introduced by additive manufacturers to improve the properties of polymers produced from renewable resources. Our look at the current state of the biopolymer industry starts on page 22.
Two other articles in this issue feature additives that have previously been overlooked for use in thermoplastic compounds. Boron nitride has long been used in thermosetting polymers. However, as our feature on pages 26-31 demonstrates, boron nitride can now be considered for use in thermoplastics to improve thermal conductivity and wear resistance, as well being used as a processing aid, nucleating agent and foaming agent. Graphite's relatively low electrical performance and its negative impact on mechanical properties has seen its exclusion from a wide range of applications. However, the availability of expanded graphite and the increasing demand for thermally conductive compounds is now changing this situation. Turn to page 40 to read about developments in this area. On the other hand titanium dioxide is certainly not a newcomer to thermoplastic compounding. However, there are new developments now happening in a number of areas that offer potentially significant benefits - see pages 36-39. Finally, melt filtration is an important issue in many compounding operations. However, there are a number of different ways to do this and choosing the correct system for an application poses a number of questions. Read our report on selecting screen changers, starting on page 32.
Periodicals postage is paid at Rahway, NJ 07065, USA. Postmaster send all USA address corrections to Plastics Additives & Compounding, 365 Blair Road, Avenel, NJ 07001, USA. Marketing & Circulation: Tom Cox, Elsevier Limited, PO Box 150, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1AS, UK. Tel: +44 1865 843654; Fax: +44 1865 843971 Email: [email protected] Free Circulation enquiries to: Tower House, Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9EF Tel: +44-1858 439612; Fax: +44-1858 434958 Email: [email protected] Front cover photographs: Licenced from Shutterstock (Main); Kreyenborg GmbH.
Plastics Additives & Compounding May/June 2008