APPLICATIONS
News
PolyOne introduces termite and rodent repellent additive concentrates PolyOne Corporation has launched new termite and rodent repellent additive concentrates. These new products, OnCap™ termite repellent additive concentrate and OnCap rodent repellent additive concentrate can repel rodents and termites in appropriate applications, and are available in free-flowing pellet form, says the company. Along with desirable dispersion properties, these additives combine safety of use and ease of use when processed in extrusion applications. The active
substance is non-hygroscopic, generally does not migrate within the polymer, and will not leach into the environment under typical application conditions. Non-toxic solutions are increasingly required in many countries, where additives such as copper naphtenate, lindane, pyrethroids, and other toxic substances are either banned or being progressively replaced. According to PolyOne, as a substitute for metallic tape or glass roving, which are often adopted to protect
cables from hostile animal or insect environments, OnCap termite repellent additive concentrate and OnCap rodent repellent additive concentrate provide a cost effective alternative to more expensive protection mechanisms. These new additives are designated as ‘repellent’ products which drive back and keep away the rodents or the insects that approach the cable jacket or the protective corrugated pipe. This was demonstrated in laboratory tests involving the most
aggressive species of rodents and termites, resulting in effective protection of the finished product. PolyOne adds that OnCap additive concentrates are available as either standard products, or specific formulations can be developed on request, with one or several additive functions. PolyOne can also offer SmartBatch™ concentrates, where colour and additive concentrate are in one product. Contact: PolyOne Corporation Website: www.polyone.com
WPCs extend service life for Venetian structures Wood-plastic composites (WPC) from Austrian company Technoplast are being used for the Vaporetto water-bus stations of Venice, Italy. The first Vaporetto landing stages along the shores of the Venice Lagoon have already been converted and others are set to follow. The project is in collaboration with the Venetian Bizeta Group, which has already received Italian state awards for the development. The profiles are marketed under the product name Greenwood in Italy. In addition to the decking profiles with their pure wood appearance that are being produced for the Vaporetto stations, stakes for use in landing stages and the buildings of Venice are also being produced. According to the company, previously these stakes in the water have had to be replaced about once every five years. The introduction of the new WPC material has now given them a service life of over 20 years. The WPC offers a fine wood appearance, but uses
A Vaporetto water-bus station in Venice, Italy sawdust and wood shaving wastes that were previously just waste products. The material is particularly robust and depending on the application - indoors or outdoors - a wood content of 50-70% can be used.
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Technoplast adds that applications for WPC in Europe are now emerging. The material has already been in successful use for decades in the USA. In Europe the situation has been different, with a preference for the processing of pure wood in paneling, fences or cover profiles for the garden or terraces. However, Technoplast believes that the advantages of WPC materials coupled with its natural appearance are bringing a turnaround. The production of WPC is expected to grow significantly in Europe over the next few years: 70,000 tons were produced by the end of 2007, with output expected to rise to over 200,000 tons by the year 2010. Within ten years the annual output could well reach 800,000 tons, claims Technoplast. Demand continues to grow in the USA also – currently an estimated one million tons. Contact: Technoplast Kunstofftechnik GmbH Website: www.technoplast.at
Plastics Additives & Compounding May/June 2008