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Grafe combats creaking with new masterbatch
MATERIALS
MATERIALS Baerlocher introduces a new generation of low-VOC, low-fog kickers
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o assist compliance with new regulations that aim to improve indoor air quality, German polymer additives supplier Baerlocher GmbH has introduced a new generation of kickers that emit reduced levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The low-VOC Baerostab KK-432 products help to reduce organic emissions and fogging effects, enabling the automotive supply industry, flooring and wallpaper producers, and others to adapt to new challenges in their markets, the company says. Based on the current discussion about azodicarbonamide (ADCA) and new regulations aiming to improve indoor air quality, various markets face significant demand for new kickers to ensure that the level of ADCA in the final product does not exceed the limit of 0.1%, Baerlocher reports. With its new range of low-VOC kickers, the company is supporting the industry’s efforts to meet the requirements set by REACH and ISO 16000 and thus to conform to national regulations such as the AgBB in Germany and the French ‘Émissions dans l’air intérieur’, it says. In addition, the new kickers help to control fogging effects in the final product, enabling manufacturers to significantly increase product quality, Baerlocher claims. ‘With our new low-VOC kickers, our latest innovation, we ensure that our customers’ products meet the ever higher demands in terms of sustainability’, comments Andy Jones, global head of the company’s PVC Additives business unit. Baerlocher enables its customers ‘to quickly adapt their business’ to changing market demands and new legal regulations in order to maintain their competitive position, he says.
Contact: Baerlocher GmbH, Unterschleissheim, Germany. Tel: +49 89 14 37 30, Web: www.baerlocher.com
Grafe combats creaking with new masterbatch
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erman family-run masterbatch producer Grafe Advanced Polymers GmbH is address-
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Additives for Polymers
ing the problem of the irritating noises that are frequently generated when plastic parts rub together. The company has developed a new additive that is able to ‘eliminate the annoying noises’ made by plastic components in household, health and technical environments, it claims. According to Grafe, the new additive, which is provided in the form of an anti-creak masterbatch, minimizes or completely eliminates noises from mechanical stress. ‘Without our new development, plastics can produce annoying and sometimes very unpleasant noises through mechanical friction’, says Grafe sales manager Lars Tonnecker. The anti-creak masterbatch can be used in a variety of everyday applications, for example ‘in the household, in cars, in health facilities and also in technical parts’, he says. As with a number of companies producing colorants or colour masterbatches, Grafe has also recently presented its 2014 colour trends for polymers, including ‘Transparent Purple’, ‘Rusty Brown’ and ‘Gold Happens’. The company expects there to be a particular focus on blues and lilacs. Contact: Grafe Advanced Polymers GmbH, Blankenhain, Germany. Tel: +49 36459 450, Web: www.grafe.com
Metabolix develops PHA performance modifiers for PLA
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assachusetts-based biomaterials firm Metabolix Inc reports that it has developed new amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) compositions that are capable of modifying and improving the performance of polylactide (PLA) biopolymers, whilst also retaining clarity and compostability. Part of the company’s Mirel™ range, the new bio-based modifiers can be used in PLA films, and in extrusion and moulding applications. According to Metabolix, the new amorphous PHA biopolymers have the physical characteristics of a rubber with a low glass transition temperature (Tg). When compounded with PLA, these new rubber modifiers have been shown to improve its ductility and flexibility, without compromising the clarity or compostability, the company says. In PLA extruded and moulded parts, the new Mirel bio-elastomers lower stiffness, reduce brittle fracturing and improve tactile feel, it claims. In PLA film applications, the rubber modifiers
May 2014
MATERIALS Baerlocher introduces a new generation of low-VOC, low-fog kickers
T
o assist compliance with new regulations that aim to improve indoor air quality, German polymer additives supplier Baerlocher GmbH has introduced a new generation of kickers that emit reduced levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The low-VOC Baerostab KK-432 products help to reduce organic emissions and fogging effects, enabling the automotive supply industry, flooring and wallpaper producers, and others to adapt to new challenges in their markets, the company says. Based on the current discussion about azodicarbonamide (ADCA) and new regulations aiming to improve indoor air quality, various markets face significant demand for new kickers to ensure that the level of ADCA in the final product does not exceed the limit of 0.1%, Baerlocher reports. With its new range of low-VOC kickers, the company is supporting the industry’s efforts to meet the requirements set by REACH and ISO 16000 and thus to conform to national regulations such as the AgBB in Germany and the French ‘Émissions dans l’air intérieur’, it says. In addition, the new kickers help to control fogging effects in the final product, enabling manufacturers to significantly increase product quality, Baerlocher claims. ‘With our new low-VOC kickers, our latest innovation, we ensure that our customers’ products meet the ever higher demands in terms of sustainability’, comments Andy Jones, global head of the company’s PVC Additives business unit. Baerlocher enables its customers ‘to quickly adapt their business’ to changing market demands and new legal regulations in order to maintain their competitive position, he says.
Contact: Baerlocher GmbH, Unterschleissheim, Germany. Tel: +49 89 14 37 30, Web: www.baerlocher.com
Grafe combats creaking with new masterbatch
G
erman family-run masterbatch producer Grafe Advanced Polymers GmbH is address-
2
Additives for Polymers
ing the problem of the irritating noises that are frequently generated when plastic parts rub together. The company has developed a new additive that is able to ‘eliminate the annoying noises’ made by plastic components in household, health and technical environments, it claims. According to Grafe, the new additive, which is provided in the form of an anti-creak masterbatch, minimizes or completely eliminates noises from mechanical stress. ‘Without our new development, plastics can produce annoying and sometimes very unpleasant noises through mechanical friction’, says Grafe sales manager Lars Tonnecker. The anti-creak masterbatch can be used in a variety of everyday applications, for example ‘in the household, in cars, in health facilities and also in technical parts’, he says. As with a number of companies producing colorants or colour masterbatches, Grafe has also recently presented its 2014 colour trends for polymers, including ‘Transparent Purple’, ‘Rusty Brown’ and ‘Gold Happens’. The company expects there to be a particular focus on blues and lilacs. Contact: Grafe Advanced Polymers GmbH, Blankenhain, Germany. Tel: +49 36459 450, Web: www.grafe.com
Metabolix develops PHA performance modifiers for PLA
M
assachusetts-based biomaterials firm Metabolix Inc reports that it has developed new amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) compositions that are capable of modifying and improving the performance of polylactide (PLA) biopolymers, whilst also retaining clarity and compostability. Part of the company’s Mirel™ range, the new bio-based modifiers can be used in PLA films, and in extrusion and moulding applications. According to Metabolix, the new amorphous PHA biopolymers have the physical characteristics of a rubber with a low glass transition temperature (Tg). When compounded with PLA, these new rubber modifiers have been shown to improve its ductility and flexibility, without compromising the clarity or compostability, the company says. In PLA extruded and moulded parts, the new Mirel bio-elastomers lower stiffness, reduce brittle fracturing and improve tactile feel, it claims. In PLA film applications, the rubber modifiers
May 2014