Technology Focus: Material Additives

Material Additives
A look at material additives that are added to the primary resin during the manufacturing process to improve the polymer’s properties, performance and characteristics when molded and put into action. Material additives used in plastics manufacturing include colorants, lubricants, fillers, stabilizers, plasticizers, pigments, flame retardants and more.

BASF
800.251.0612
www.plasticadditives.basf.com

BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany, is a leading supplier, manufacturer and innovation partner of plastic additives. Its comprehensive and innovative product portfolio includes additives that provide ease in processing, and heat and light resistance to a variety of polymers and applications, including molded articles, films, fibers, sheets and extruded profiles. BASF launched Tinuvin® NOR® 211 AR to support film producers and converters globally in navigating the challenging landscape of plasticulture – the use of plastic materials in agricultural applications. This new high-performance heat and light stabilizer protects and prolongs the lifespan of agricultural plastics that require resistance to high levels of inorganic chemicals like sulfur and chlorine.

Chroma Color
877.385.8777
www.chromacolors.com

Chroma Color, McHenry, Illinois, a supplier of specialty color and additive concentrate in the plastics marketplace with a manufacturing footprint, has developed a specialized formulation path to solving the need for colorant alternatives to Carbon Black to address the recycling of black or dark colors in packaging for improved environmental sustainability, named ChromaNIR. ChromaNIR’s Sortable Black technology is based upon IR reflecting/transparent components using a proprietary combination of specialty dyes and organic pigments. The Chroma Color path to success allows for expanded exploration of additional Black options, including near Black and other Dark Color families. Chroma Color’s alternative recipes allow the MRF sorting operations to identify and successfully sort the plastic articles according to the APR NIR Sorting Potential of a Whole Plastic Article. The leading third-party independent lab P.T.I. of Holland, Ohio, conducted all testing and analysis.

iD Additives
708.588.0081
www.idadditives.com

iD Additives, La Grange, Illinois, offers a complete line of foaming agents for injection molders looking to reduce costs in their molding process. These additives are designed to help molders reduce cycle times and lower part weights, resulting in significant cost savings. A full line of Endothermic, Exothermic, MicroFine Cell and chemical foaming agents are available to suit any specific molding application.

NOVA Chemicals Corporation
403.750.3600
www.novachem.com

NOVA Chemicals, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, produces and markets chemical and plastic resins. NOVA received a Letter of Non Objection (LNO) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), confirming the capability of its mechanical recycling process in Connersville, Indiana, to produce post-consumer recycled linear, low-density polyethylene (rLLDPE) material that is suitable for broad food-contact applications. The rLLDPE will be sold under SYNDIGO™ and become NOVA’s second food-compliant recycled polyethylene (rPE). rPE enables converters and brand owners to incorporate recycled materials into food and non-food packaging products.

Star Plastics
304.273.0352
www.starplastics.com

Star Plastics, Ravenswood, West Virginia, a custom compounder of engineering-grade thermoplastics, has released a polycarbonate cold temperature impact material that improves the impact resistance of the resulting product (like the electric car chargers) in temperatures down to -40° C. The additive inside the polycarbonate copolymer is UL-recognized, REACH and RoHS compliant, and it provides superior impact resistance when compared to general-purpose PC at temperatures of -40° C. Additionally, the improved flow of this material results in less stress in complex molded components, adding to the overall part performance. This material comes in high and low flow options, is available in custom colors and is recyclable.