Additives/Masterbatches
Additives/Masterbatches Green antimicrobial additive Guarding plastics sustainably The concern towards ensuring healthy - microbe-free environments have led in ever increasing awareness towards hygiene. The special times, which we are witnessing, have made this an essential requirement. Plastics have been the material-of-choice due to the potential to offer multiple functionalities and thus, reflected in impressive volumes. A risk of cross-contamination during handling plastics has been substantiated by numerous scientific reports indicating that microbes can thrive and multiply on plastic surfaces. Secondly, proliferating microbes also can deteriorate the aesthetic of plastic material via severe dust pick-up and imparting foul odor to the plastic articles. An antimicrobial additive can offer dual benefits of protecting us and preserving the properties of plastic products. The major types of antimicrobial additives find basis in metal ions, metal nanoparticles, metal oxides and popularly used organic compounds such as triclosan. Traditional antimicrobial additives such as metal ions/nanoparticles based, metal oxides and popularly used organic compounds (triclosan), exhibit effective antimicrobial activity and suitability to plastic processing. Nevertheless, multiple studies have pointed out concerns associated with the use of conventional antimicrobial additives. These are specially pertaining to the possible undesired effects to human and/or other living organisms such as aquatic life. Further, the concern of developing antimicrobial resistant bacteria has been identified by global health organizations. A benign antimicrobial additive possessing excellent antibacterial activity, adequate stability for polymer processing and absence of potentially toxic components can be a promising solution. Fine Organics, headquartered in Mumbai, India, has recognized the concern and developed a green antimicrobial additive for plastics – FinaGuard AM. FinaGuard AM is a 100 % biobased, metal-free additive, which migrates on polymer surface and offers effective antibacterial activity in polyolefins as well as PVC. FinaGuard AM is an internal additive, therefore, it is recommended to be used by preparing a masterbatch or while additivating the polymer. FinaGuard AM offers multiple impressive benefits – • 1. Metal, metal-oxide and nanoparticles free • 2. Green and safe • 3. Suitable for polymer processing • 4. Effective antibacterial activity The spectrum of potential applications can be evidently wide for FinaGuard AM such as – medical apparatus (non-woven PP products, e.g. face masks and PPEs), domestic products, kitchen ware, bath-mats, shower curtains, moulded furniture, wallpapers and more. FinaGuard AM has been tested in plastics by well-accepted standard - JIS Z 2801:2010, to evaluate the antibacterial performance in polyolefin films and injection moulded specimens. JIS Z 2801:2010 is described as the test for antibacterial activity and efficacy in plastics. This test method quantifies the antibacterial activity (R) as the “difference in logarithmic value of the viable bacteria between control (without additive) and the product containing antibacterial additive”. The criterion to pass the test is antibacterial activity, R>=2.0. FinaGuard AM exhibits R values higher than 2.0 in the case of gram positive as well as gram negative bacteria. It is important to understand that the cell of gram negative bacteria possesses an additional external protective membrane, which can offer superior protection to the cell. Notwithstanding, the difference in the structure of the major pathogenic gram positive and gram negative bacteria cell structures, FinaGuard AM is found to render effective antibacterial activity. PVC applications, especially in the presence of plasticizers, are seemingly vulnerable to bacterial and fungal attack in warm temperatures and high humidity conditions. The testing for determination of resistance to fungal growth was conducted by following ref. ASTM G 21 standard, which is described as – “determining resistance of synthetic polymeric materials to fungi”. Interestingly, FinaGuard AM has displayed effective antibacterial performance as well as resistance to fungal growth in plasticized PVC applications. We understand that the versatile performance of FinaGuard AM may be by virtue of its special functionalities to interfere in various biological processes of the microbe cell and thereby, remarkably impede the cell multiplication. Thus, FinaGuard AM can help to assure safer plastic products without likely hazards corresponding to the chemical nature of the antimicrobial additives to the consumers or to the environment. In addition to this, FinaGuard AM has a potential to render value addition to the masterbatch manufactures or plastics compounders with cost benefits compared to products containing expensive components. Although, FinaGuard AM has currently been tested in the conventional polymers; it can also add value to bioplastics by imparting the antimicrobial properties. Further, being derived from natural vegetable oils, and – in addition – being a completely biodegradable additive, FinaGuard AM is suitable for the biodegradable polymers and may render safety to bioplastic surfaces, which is the way forward for product development and innovation team. Fine Organics specializes in Oleochemicals, which offer wide range of products suitable for multiple applications and further, offers benefits through excellent quality and performance. – MT www.fineorganics.com 32 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/20] Vol. 15
Additives/Masterbatches Bio Mineral Composites The new BioMineralComposites created by Albrecht Dinkelaker, Polymer- and Product Developement in Zell im Wiesental, Germany are made with compostable and waterproof polymer/wax blends marketed by the company under the brand name CAPROWAX P. The new compounds contain the soil-related natural bio-mineral Calcite (CaCO 3 ), which is incorporated into the blends at different levels as needed. The Caprowax P 6006-C65-BM42xxx product line is suitable for a range of processes and applications. On degradation, these materials will enrich low-lime soil or composting environments. The bio-mineral component promotes their biogenic degradation in soil and water bodies. Processing: • Injection moulding without predrying at 130°C, die 130°C, mould 15°C - wall thickness 0.5–3 mm • Blow moulding without predrying at 130°C, parison die 70 -100°C, mould 15°C - wall thickness 1–2 mm • Vacuumforming with sheets and foils - Extrusion without predrying 160-130°C, melting calender
