Clear UV barrier for packaging

An extensive portfolio of additive technologies for improving the clarity, performance and processing of polyolefins comes from Milliken & Company’s strong commitment. The company’s next-generation additive technologies and solutions for the plastics industry has enabled polymer producers, converters, designers and brand owners to solve the most important challenges facing by delivering breakthrough aesthetics, exceptional material properties, improved efficiency and enhanced sustainability.  

 

The trend points to a rising number of consumers value sustainability as an important element of the products and brands they choose to buy. These shoppers prefer recyclable packaging and natural product ingredients as part of a growing movement to protect the environment through sustainable choices. 

 

With a high demand for safety and consistency in products packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers, Milliken’s research and development team has developed ClearShield, an innovative additive that maintains the transparency of PET whilst blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays up to 390 nm.

 

Over time, ultraviolet rays can and do cause deterioration of most products. This damage-potential restricts many PET bottle manufacturers to using less-appealing packaging, or worse, actually altering the product formulation to include UV stabilisers or UV-sensitive ingredients. ClearShield overcomes these challenges without causing blooming in PET or affecting colour. Due to the additive's high thermal stability, ClearShield does not display plate-out during injection moulding or blowmoulding of PET bottles. This allows ClearShield to be one of the few UV absorbers used directly in PET plants.

 

 

Safe and sustainable UV absorber

A homogeneous and non-settling liquid polymer, ClearShield's combination of high transparency, high thermal stability and broad UV blockage allows manufacturers more flexibility with both products and packaging. Easily moulded containers allow attractive, safe, quality, sustainable production. ClearShield also extends product shelf life, giving customers a consistent experience. ClearShield provides cost savings through UV protection in the packaging, eliminating a need for protection in the formula of the material inside of the packaging. 

 

ClearShield is used in a variety of applications for UV-sensitive products. ClearShield technology works for fruit juice and dairy beverage packaging to protect vitamins from UV degradation. Milliken’s innovative ClearShield additive also benefits detergent and personal care products, protecting colours from UV exposure and keeping branding intact. Aroma applications are another example of essential UV protection requirements to avoid the formation of undesired byproducts that have an adverse effect on consistency.

 

In particular, the ClearShield® 390B supports these efforts by enabling the use of clear, uncoloured PET and eliminating concerns about toxic waste during the recycling process.  Because sustainability has become more important both to consumers and brands, brand owners need solutions that can support efforts towards greater sustainability while also remaining cost effective and visually appealing. ClearShield® 390B accomplishes that goal in two ways. 

 

First, it improves the recycling stream. Dark or opaque plastics can’t be recycled with clear plastics, because they darken the recycle stream and reduce the value of the plastic. They also limit the applications for which the recycled plastic can be used since they have fewer colour possibilities. Because it provides powerful UV protection without relying on dark colours to block harmful UV rays, ClearShield® 390B gives brands the option to use clear plastic even with UV-sensitive package contents.

 

Second, it eliminates waste water contamination. ClearShield® 390B eliminates concerns about toxicity and waste water contamination that may be associated with other kinds of UV stabilisers.

  

ClearShield® 390B facilitates effective recycling and increases the value of reclaimed plastic by enabling brands to use clear bottles and containers whilst still protecting package contents. In addition, it’s vital that package contents retain desirable colours, flavours, and nutritional value as well since these are also important contributors to brand image. ClearShield® 390B supports positive experiences with customers from the moment they see a product in the store to the moment they toss the empty package into the recycling bin—and beyond.