Rob Meek, CEO of Impact Laboratories looks at how his company has developed methods to better analyse the diversity of additives in polymers, and argues that a focus on the segregation, separation and reprocessing of waste plastics is essential to increase plastic recycling.
The plastics additives industry is built on a mix of technical prowess, production expertise and commercial know-how. In the current disruptive economic climate maximizing the value of this mix can make the difference between mere survival or preparing for future growth. Industry insiders James and Ann Innes of Flame Retardants Associates, Inc. and Robert Leeuwendal of Haig Barrett, Inc. make the case for what the plastics additives industry can do to capitalize better on knowledge and to improve competitive advantage.
In these current difficult times, process efficiency and consequently productivity is as vital in the plastics compounding plant as it is in any other manufacturing environment. Advances in materials handling techniques can play a big part in the compounding operation. Jennifer Markarian explains.
Foamed or cellular plastics are growing in applications like packaging, automotive, and construction, driven by the desire for weight-reduction that saves resin and energy costs. New foam-enhancing additives assist this growth, allowing lower foam densities and even expanding the types of resins that can be efficiently foamed. Jennifer Markarian highlights these developments for Plastics Additives & Compounding
The PVC industry has been involved in an active programme in recent years to phase out the use of lead stabilizers. Mixed metal stabilizers have been at the forefront of these developments. Now Dr Reiner Sauerwein of Nabaltec AG describes the introduction of a new inorganic co-stabilizer to the market and the potential benefits to the industry.
The facts about vinyl undermine anti-PVC activists' claims. Indeed, PVC exhibits numerous environmental benefits, argues Louis R Cappucci, vice-president of Teknor Apex Company, in making the case for vinyl.
When improving the conductivity of polymer compounds carbon blacks offer good performance and economy. However, there are a number of things that need to be taken into consideration. N. Probst, C. Van Bellingen and H. Van den Bergh of Timcal outline the essentials in compounding with conductive carbon blacks.
While the largest volume for biocidal or antimicrobial additives in plastics continues to be organic biocides used in PVC, new developments and the highest growth are coming from inorganic silver and others being used in a broader range of polymers, applications and functions. Jennifer Markarian reports.
Any hint of a potential new market for reinforced plastics is clearly of interest. So the fact that fibreglass and wood-plastic composites (WPC) are making inroads against traditional wood, steel and cement materials in the marina industry is worthy of comment, despite the inherently low-tech nature of this infrastructure. George Marsh investigates.
Colours and special effects are key ingredients of plastics compounds, offering countless possibilities to designers who want to differentiate their products. Colorant suppliers sell their pigments and dyes primarily to compound and masterbatch producers, although a small volume goes directly to processors of finished parts. Jennifer Markarian reviews some of the basics, including types of colorants and special effects, how they are added to compounds and masterbatches, and concerns for adding them at the processing line.
New developments in antimicrobial additives for plastics are providing a much needed additional weapon against the spread of Healthcare associated infections. Alex Jones of Wells Plastics highlights some of these developments and discusses what to consider when selecting the best system for a particular application.
Nanocomposites are a new class of polymer systems. Modified layered silicates as fillers are dispersed at a nanometre-level within a polymer matrix and new extraordinary properties are observed. Through nanocomposite formation the thermal stability and flame retardancy of polymers are also improved. The flame retardancy of layered silicate nanocomposites is based on char formation and its structure. Dr. Günter Beyer of Kabelwerk Eupen AG in Belgium reviews the current state of development of nanocomposites as a new class of flame retardants for polymers.
A new class of synthetic organoclays based on layered double hydroxides (LDH) has been developed that offers improved flame retardancy, gas barrier and mechanical properties. In addition, other advantages are compliance with the European regulations for materials coming in contact with foodstuffs and its higher temperature stability compared to most organoclays. Haimo Tonnaer of AkzoNobel Polymer Chemicals describes recent developments with Perkalite synthetic organoclays.
Scratch and mar resistance of automotive plastics is becoming increasingly important due to the growing use of plastics in the automotive industry and the trend to eliminate paint in favour of moulded-in-colour. Plastic surfaces can be protected by using coatings, laminates, scratch-resistant resins, or additive formulations designed for improved scratch and mar resistance. Jennifer Markarian reports for Plastics Additives & Compounding.
Testing equipment suppliers have developed new instruments and features that improve accuracy and reproducibility as well as cost-efficiency for mechanical testing in plastics compounding laboratories. Jennifer Markarian reports for Plastics Additives & Compounding.
High performance plastics often require high processing temperatures. However, at such temperatures organic molecules start to degrade. Additives to keep the polymer flowing in moulding applications are required to aid processing while preventing degradation. Dr. Chris DeArmitt and Dr. Paul Wheeler of Hybrid Plastics describe the advantages of the hybrid ceramic-organic structure of POSS additives that can provide thermal stability and the retention of mechanical properties.
Recent developments in mixing technology and screw design now offer performance improvements for the single screw compounding extruder. Chris Rauwendaal of Rauwendaal Extrusion Engineering, Inc. explains.
Circular vibratory separators have been classifying plastic pellets for well over 25 years. During this time, production rates have increased many-fold which has forced designers of this equipment to search for fundamental changes in the machine configuration in order to keep up with the ever increasing production rates. L. H. Stone, chairman and chief executive officer of Kason Corporation explains.
The German compounding and masterbatch industry is resilient, despite facing regulatory and economic challenges. The industry seems to have taken the manufacturing shift to lower-cost countries and increased regulatory burden in its stride. German compounders and masterbatchers say they are successful because they supply high quality, speciality products that offer value and improve product performance. Jennifer Makarian reports.
