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Henkel, Tecnaro collaborate to develop renewable additives for high-performance bioplastics
MATERIALS
MATERIALS Henkel, Tecnaro collaborate to develop renewable additives for high-performance bioplastics
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n Germany, consumer products company Henkel AG has successfully collaborated with compounder and biopolymer specialist Tecnaro GmbH in developing new high-performance polyamide additives based on renewable raw materials. According to the partners, the new Macromelt additives can significantly improve the performance of bio-based plastics, allowing them to meet rising expectations concerning their quality and processing characteristics as the diversity of applications for these materials grows. Macromelt additives are said to be ideal for the production of industrial plastics based on renewable raw materials. Not only do the new additives themselves contain a large proportion of bio-sourced ingredients – namely dimer fatty acids derived from natural oils such as rapeseed oil and tall oil – but they also have a positive impact on the performance profile of bioplastics. Impact resistance and fibre–matrix adhesion are much improved by these additives, according to Henkel and Tecnaro. Depending on the formulation of the plastic, Macromelt additives are also capable of reducing processing temperature, in some cases considerably, they report. This diminishes the stressing of the fibres employed, with a positive effect on stability and appearance. With this latest development in its Macromelt polyamide technology, Henkel is thus helping to improve the quality and usability of bioplastics and paving the way for further high-end applications, the company says. Contact: Henkel AG & Co KGaA, Henkelstrasse 67, D-40589 Düsseldorf, Germany. Tel: +49 211 7970, Fax: +49 211 798 4008, Web: www.henkel.com Or contact: Tecnaro GmbH, Burgweg 5, D-74360, Ilsfeld-Auenstein, Germany. Tel: +49 7062 917 8902, Fax: +49 7062 917 8908, Web: www.tecnaro.de
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Additives for Polymers
Nubiola launches heat-resistant yellow iron oxide
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panish inorganic pigments specialist Nubiola has addressed the inherent colour instability of yellow iron oxides at high temperatures, which has previously restricted their use in the coloration of plastics and coatings. The company has developed an encapsulation technology, which has resulted in the recent commercial launch of heat-resistant yellow iron oxide Nubifer Y-7050. The enhanced heat-fastness of the new yellow pigment permits exposure to temperatures of 260°C for up to five minutes, allowing its use in many plastics and heat-sensitive coatings applications, Nubiola claims. This upgraded property complements the other beneficial features of yellow iron oxides such as their excellent light- and weatherfastness, high opacity and ease of dispersion, the company says. According to Fabiana Requeijo, Nubiola’s iron oxides product manager, Nubifer Y-7050 is a high-performance pigment suited to providing a dull yellow/beige coloration ‘in a very cost-effective way’. It can also be combined with expensive organic pigments to reduce the cost of coloration while maintaining their ‘great properties’ and with little effect on their shade, she claims. Nubifer Y-7050 is produced at the company’s Girardota plant in Colombia, which is one of its largest manufacturing facilities. Products made at Girardota are not only distributed in Latin America but also worldwide. With its headquarters in Barcelona, Spain, familyowned Nubiola operates five production plants worldwide and a joint venture in China. It employs about 600 people and serves customers in more than 85 countries.
Contact: Nubiola Pigmentos, SL, Barcelona, Spain. Tel: +34 93 343 5750, Web: www.nubiola.com
Minerals Technologies presents new line of reinforcements for bioplastics applications
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pecialty Minerals Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of minerals products manufacturer Minerals Technologies Inc, has launched a new
October 2011
MATERIALS Henkel, Tecnaro collaborate to develop renewable additives for high-performance bioplastics
I
n Germany, consumer products company Henkel AG has successfully collaborated with compounder and biopolymer specialist Tecnaro GmbH in developing new high-performance polyamide additives based on renewable raw materials. According to the partners, the new Macromelt additives can significantly improve the performance of bio-based plastics, allowing them to meet rising expectations concerning their quality and processing characteristics as the diversity of applications for these materials grows. Macromelt additives are said to be ideal for the production of industrial plastics based on renewable raw materials. Not only do the new additives themselves contain a large proportion of bio-sourced ingredients – namely dimer fatty acids derived from natural oils such as rapeseed oil and tall oil – but they also have a positive impact on the performance profile of bioplastics. Impact resistance and fibre–matrix adhesion are much improved by these additives, according to Henkel and Tecnaro. Depending on the formulation of the plastic, Macromelt additives are also capable of reducing processing temperature, in some cases considerably, they report. This diminishes the stressing of the fibres employed, with a positive effect on stability and appearance. With this latest development in its Macromelt polyamide technology, Henkel is thus helping to improve the quality and usability of bioplastics and paving the way for further high-end applications, the company says. Contact: Henkel AG & Co KGaA, Henkelstrasse 67, D-40589 Düsseldorf, Germany. Tel: +49 211 7970, Fax: +49 211 798 4008, Web: www.henkel.com Or contact: Tecnaro GmbH, Burgweg 5, D-74360, Ilsfeld-Auenstein, Germany. Tel: +49 7062 917 8902, Fax: +49 7062 917 8908, Web: www.tecnaro.de
2
Additives for Polymers
Nubiola launches heat-resistant yellow iron oxide
S
panish inorganic pigments specialist Nubiola has addressed the inherent colour instability of yellow iron oxides at high temperatures, which has previously restricted their use in the coloration of plastics and coatings. The company has developed an encapsulation technology, which has resulted in the recent commercial launch of heat-resistant yellow iron oxide Nubifer Y-7050. The enhanced heat-fastness of the new yellow pigment permits exposure to temperatures of 260°C for up to five minutes, allowing its use in many plastics and heat-sensitive coatings applications, Nubiola claims. This upgraded property complements the other beneficial features of yellow iron oxides such as their excellent light- and weatherfastness, high opacity and ease of dispersion, the company says. According to Fabiana Requeijo, Nubiola’s iron oxides product manager, Nubifer Y-7050 is a high-performance pigment suited to providing a dull yellow/beige coloration ‘in a very cost-effective way’. It can also be combined with expensive organic pigments to reduce the cost of coloration while maintaining their ‘great properties’ and with little effect on their shade, she claims. Nubifer Y-7050 is produced at the company’s Girardota plant in Colombia, which is one of its largest manufacturing facilities. Products made at Girardota are not only distributed in Latin America but also worldwide. With its headquarters in Barcelona, Spain, familyowned Nubiola operates five production plants worldwide and a joint venture in China. It employs about 600 people and serves customers in more than 85 countries.
Contact: Nubiola Pigmentos, SL, Barcelona, Spain. Tel: +34 93 343 5750, Web: www.nubiola.com
Minerals Technologies presents new line of reinforcements for bioplastics applications
S
pecialty Minerals Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of minerals products manufacturer Minerals Technologies Inc, has launched a new
October 2011