Clariant debuts at K 2022 with new additives to help promote sustainable plastics

Latest News:

● PP/TPO formulation with anti-scratch additives to unlock the potential of plastics for reuse in consumer applications

● New light stabilizer solution to prolong the service life of agricultural mulch film

● New bio-based lubricating and nucleating additives for polyester products in the electrical and electronic, medical and transportation industries

Clariant debuted at K 2022 with new additive solutions aimed at advancing more sustainable plastic products, reducing resource consumption and meeting visitor expectations. The new development provides greater application flexibility, prolongs product life, promotes resource reuse, and contributes to the development of a circular economy. In addition, the new products can help customers solve production problems while achieving carbon reduction and efficiency improvement in synthesis and processing.

Martin John, Director of Advanced Surface Solutions at Clariant, said: “By extending the lifespan of products and unlocking the potential for reuse, the plastics industry can make a positive contribution to reducing waste consumption and increasing circularity in key stages of production. In the process, customers can use a variety of ways to reduce material waste, reduce energy consumption, further improve sustainability benefits, and improve the carbon footprint of products. Adding these new additives – such as renewable feedstock solutions – to our product portfolio, It gives us the confidence to provide more support to plastics processors and value chains to collaborate and innovate further.”

New anti-scratch additivemayextend the life of consumer products

Surface aesthetics play a crucial role in the perception of quality in consumer products. Clariant’s new Scratch Resistant Additive for Polypropylene (PP) and Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) formulations, Licowax® AS 100 TP, is derived from the chemical modification of renewable raw materials, enabling molded plastic products to be more suitable for use in a wide range of consumer applications. It retains its original look and feel for a long time. This offers great potential for extending the life of components, improving their performance retention and re-use rates.

New additive helps prevent scratches and breakage of cargo surfaces during handling, transport and end use, which is especially beneficial in other wear-prone applications such as automotive interior components such as dashboards and door panels, home appliance housings, cosmetic packaging and light luggage, etc.

New light stabilizer improves sustainability of agricultural films

Mulch plays an important role in optimizing crop growing conditions, protecting crops and soil from contamination and avoiding the loss of water and nutrients that can affect yields. The new AddWorks® AGC 970 is Clariant’s newest light stabilizer solution for polyethylene agricultural films, increasing the product durability of mulch films. The additive can prolong the service life of agricultural film products, especially improve the anti-ultraviolet ability and resist high-concentration pesticide residues. Granular additives can be added directly during processing, enabling more targeted use.

New bio-based wax reduces cycle time and simplifies processing of injection-molded polyesterproduct

Synthesis and processing efficiencies are enhanced thanks to the unique combination of lubrication and nucleation in engineering plastics. Compared to more traditional products, the new bio-based Licocare® RBW 560 TP Vita, with its excellent thermal stability and low volatility, is able to withstand higher processing temperatures and is effective at lower doses. It also has excellent color stability. These combined benefits make it particularly attractive to formulators using polyester products in the electrical and electronic or transportation industries.

New additives boost demolding efficiency and improve surface quality. In addition, polyester parts get stuck in molds, resulting in less injection molding downtime and increased productivity. Shorter cooling cycles result in shorter cycle times, so the machine can produce more parts per hour, ultimately reducing energy consumption.

Licocare RBW 560 TP Vita is the latest extension to Clariant’s Licocare range of high-performance additives based on renewable, non-food-competitive raw materials. These raw materials are extracted from crude rice bran wax, which is a by-product of rice bran oil refining. Licocare RBW 560 TP Vita has the Vita mark, indicating a Renewable Carbon Index (RCI) of at least 98%, and therefore has the advantage of a lower carbon footprint even compared to state-of-the-art alternatives.

Clariant has submitted US FDA applications for food contact materials for all of its Licocare RBW additives. Once these certifications are passed, it will help plastic compounders and masterbatch manufacturers to open up a wider range of plastic applications.

Clariant’s additive products and solutions offer exciting opportunities for the plastics industry to strengthen the link between efficiency and sustainability, safety and performance, value and low carbon footprint.