Additives for recycled plastics

Struktol Company of America, a leading global supplier of polymer additives, has announced the launch of several new and existing additive products suitable for recycled and recycle-content plastics. The announcement was made at the Society of Plastics Engineers’ (SPE) 2014 Global Plastics Environmental Conference (GPEC) March 12-14 in Orlando, Fla.  

Struktol has developed unique additives for reclaimed/recycled plastics and for materials that contain recycled content. These products are useful in a variety of different polymers from polyolefins to engineered plastics, offering greater processing efficiency and enhanced performance. They are targeted for compounds containing 100% recycled material or materials with varying levels of post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content. 

For engineering plastics, Struktol offers two new products that combine a compatibilizer with lubricants to create a combination product that aids in the incorporation of fillers (mineral or glass) with improved mixing and flow properties as well as mold release. These products result in better processing, improved surface quality, and in some cases, better physical properties.  

Among the new products, STRUKTOL? TR 229 is for use in both polycarbonate (PC) and PC/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) blends as well as nylon 6 and 6,6 compounds. It can be used in FDA-approved applications and is also ideal for use in recycled applications. Struktol also introduced STRUKTOL? TR 219 for use in nylon 6 and 6,6 compounds. It has also been found to be effective in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) compounds, especially recycled applications or in cases where PET is contaminated with other plastics.

Struktol also announced that several of its existing additive products are useful in offering greater processing efficiency and enhanced performance for recycled plastics. STRUKTOL? RP 11 is a unique lubricant package that provides an unmatched combination of viscosity reduction and mold release characteristics for polypropylene (PP)-based resins and compounds. Loading levels as low as 0.2% result in increased melt flow and allow for significant improvements in mold filling and release. Processors using RP 11 will benefit from the versatility provided; allowing greater use of regrind or recycled content without sacrificing certain properties or performance. RP 11 is the ideal replacement for peroxide modifiers and internal or external mold releases.

STRUKTOL? RP 17, a combination lubricant and odor neutralizing mask, was originally designed for reducing/eliminating compounding and end-product odors in wood-filled plastic compounds. The product has been modified for use in a variety of polymer resins and compounds that require the multi-functionality of lubrication, mold release, and odor reduction.  RP 17 can be used in recycled applications as well as automotive interior compounds where neutral odor may be a requirement. Jordan Jumpman Pro AJ12.5