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Nexam Chemical introduces multifunctional additive for plastics
MATERIALS
MATERIALS Nexam Chemical introduces multifunctional additive for plastics
S
wedish firm Nexam Chemical, a specialist in heat-activated crosslinkers for polymers, has introduced Nexamite® PBO, a new multifunctional additive that is claimed to offer strong performance in many application areas. Its primary intended use is as a chain extender and crosslinker but the additive is also reported to be an effective compatibilizer and acid scavenger in the manufacture of virgin polymer blends and engineering plastics, and in the recycling of mixed plastics. Nexamite PBO technology is based on 1,3-phenylenebisoxazoline. It connects the carboxy terminal groups of polyesters (PET, PBT), polyamides and other polymers without the formation of volatile by-products, the company explains. The bi-functional monomer can be used in appropriate thermoplastics and thermosets with processing temperatures up to 300°C, it reports. According to Nexam, the benefits gained from using Nexamite PBO include improved hydrolytic stability (in polyesters and polycarbonates), improved thermal stability, and control of branching and the degree of crosslinking. The company says that the additive also enables the upgrading of spent and recycled material, particularly PET, PBT and various polyamides; facilitates the compatibilization of polymer blends such as PET/polyamide, PBT/polyamide and polycarbonate/PBT; and allows for the use of low-viscosity polymers. The recycling of polyethylene/polyamide is another application area. Several formulations are available for different processing/ application scenarios, Nexam reports. The improvement of melt viscosity, hydrolytic stability and heat resistance provide by the Nexamite PBO technology ‘is useful in a variety of industries’, it points out. The chemical, physical and mechanical properties, along with the ease of formulating better-performing materials, provide opportunities to use Nexamite PBO in a wide range of plastic materials and manufacturing processes, the company claims. ‘Both the end customers and material developers will benefit from Nexamite PBO’s strong performance in many application areas’, says Dr Daniel
2
Additives for Polymers
Röme, director business development & innovation at Nexam Chemical. End-use applications are suggested in sectors ranging from wind energy, through automotive and aerospace, to interior design and sport & leisure. Samples of Nexamite PBO are available on request. Nexam Chemical also reports that it has recently received a notice of allowance from the patent office in Taiwan stating that it intends to grant the company’s patent application for its PETA (pyromellitic ethynyl phthalic anhydride) crosslinker. The corresponding European and US patent applications have already been granted and the company has also applied for PETA patents in other markets, including China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and Brazil. PETA is ‘a new and unique molecule’ that improves the properties of, for example, polyimides, nylons and polyesters, the company claims. Nexam developed PETA with the aim of achieving a crosslinker with lower curing temperature, it explains. Global production of plastics where PETA could be used comprises more than 20 million tonnes/year, the company says. According to Nexam, PETA is being evaluated by a large number of potential customers, whereof several are world-leading in their respective areas. In other company news, Nexam Chemical has appointed Anders Spetz as its new CEO, from 1 January 2015, succeeding Per Palmqvist Morin. Spetz has previously worked at Sanitec, AkzoNobel and Neste Chemicals. Recruitment for the newly created position of chief marketing officer (CMO) is also ongoing. The company says that these organizational changes are a natural step in its development as it moves ‘into the next phase where the focus is on commercialization and sales’. Nexam Chemical AB was founded in 2009 via a management buy-out from the Perstorp Group. The company develops, manufactures and sells a new type of heat-activated crosslinkers for the broader plastics market. To date, it has built a broad portfolio of patented technologies and products in this field and established a number of collaborative projects with globally leading chemical and materials companies, including BASF, Repsol, IRPC, Sumitomo, ABB, NASA and Rolls-Royce. Nexam’s head office, R&D and materials laboratory are located in Lund, Sweden, while its manufacturing facility is in St Andrews, UK. Contact: Nexam Chemical Holding AB, Scheelevägen 19, 223 63 Lund, Sweden. Tel: +46 703 479700, Email: [email protected], Web: www.nexamchemical.com
February 2015
MATERIALS Nexam Chemical introduces multifunctional additive for plastics
S
wedish firm Nexam Chemical, a specialist in heat-activated crosslinkers for polymers, has introduced Nexamite® PBO, a new multifunctional additive that is claimed to offer strong performance in many application areas. Its primary intended use is as a chain extender and crosslinker but the additive is also reported to be an effective compatibilizer and acid scavenger in the manufacture of virgin polymer blends and engineering plastics, and in the recycling of mixed plastics. Nexamite PBO technology is based on 1,3-phenylenebisoxazoline. It connects the carboxy terminal groups of polyesters (PET, PBT), polyamides and other polymers without the formation of volatile by-products, the company explains. The bi-functional monomer can be used in appropriate thermoplastics and thermosets with processing temperatures up to 300°C, it reports. According to Nexam, the benefits gained from using Nexamite PBO include improved hydrolytic stability (in polyesters and polycarbonates), improved thermal stability, and control of branching and the degree of crosslinking. The company says that the additive also enables the upgrading of spent and recycled material, particularly PET, PBT and various polyamides; facilitates the compatibilization of polymer blends such as PET/polyamide, PBT/polyamide and polycarbonate/PBT; and allows for the use of low-viscosity polymers. The recycling of polyethylene/polyamide is another application area. Several formulations are available for different processing/ application scenarios, Nexam reports. The improvement of melt viscosity, hydrolytic stability and heat resistance provide by the Nexamite PBO technology ‘is useful in a variety of industries’, it points out. The chemical, physical and mechanical properties, along with the ease of formulating better-performing materials, provide opportunities to use Nexamite PBO in a wide range of plastic materials and manufacturing processes, the company claims. ‘Both the end customers and material developers will benefit from Nexamite PBO’s strong performance in many application areas’, says Dr Daniel
2
Additives for Polymers
Röme, director business development & innovation at Nexam Chemical. End-use applications are suggested in sectors ranging from wind energy, through automotive and aerospace, to interior design and sport & leisure. Samples of Nexamite PBO are available on request. Nexam Chemical also reports that it has recently received a notice of allowance from the patent office in Taiwan stating that it intends to grant the company’s patent application for its PETA (pyromellitic ethynyl phthalic anhydride) crosslinker. The corresponding European and US patent applications have already been granted and the company has also applied for PETA patents in other markets, including China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and Brazil. PETA is ‘a new and unique molecule’ that improves the properties of, for example, polyimides, nylons and polyesters, the company claims. Nexam developed PETA with the aim of achieving a crosslinker with lower curing temperature, it explains. Global production of plastics where PETA could be used comprises more than 20 million tonnes/year, the company says. According to Nexam, PETA is being evaluated by a large number of potential customers, whereof several are world-leading in their respective areas. In other company news, Nexam Chemical has appointed Anders Spetz as its new CEO, from 1 January 2015, succeeding Per Palmqvist Morin. Spetz has previously worked at Sanitec, AkzoNobel and Neste Chemicals. Recruitment for the newly created position of chief marketing officer (CMO) is also ongoing. The company says that these organizational changes are a natural step in its development as it moves ‘into the next phase where the focus is on commercialization and sales’. Nexam Chemical AB was founded in 2009 via a management buy-out from the Perstorp Group. The company develops, manufactures and sells a new type of heat-activated crosslinkers for the broader plastics market. To date, it has built a broad portfolio of patented technologies and products in this field and established a number of collaborative projects with globally leading chemical and materials companies, including BASF, Repsol, IRPC, Sumitomo, ABB, NASA and Rolls-Royce. Nexam’s head office, R&D and materials laboratory are located in Lund, Sweden, while its manufacturing facility is in St Andrews, UK. Contact: Nexam Chemical Holding AB, Scheelevägen 19, 223 63 Lund, Sweden. Tel: +46 703 479700, Email: [email protected], Web: www.nexamchemical.com
February 2015