Additives /
Additives / Masterbatches Biobased wax additives Clariant adds high-performing solutions based on non-food competing biomass to its broad portfolio of waxes for bio- and conventional plastics applications. External Lubrication: Polyamide 6 (PA 6) Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals and recognized as one of the most sustainable chemical companies in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, is introducing a family of high-performance waxes based on renewable feedstock: Licocare ® RBW. These multi-purpose additives are based on crude rice bran wax. This is a non-food-competing by-product from the production of rice bran oil. Clariant chemically and physically upgrades this non-edible component of the oil and thus contributes to using the rice bran’s full value. The main target applications for Licocare RBW are engineering thermoplastics such as polyamides, polyesters or TPU, biopolymers like PLA, and epoxy resins. They offer benefits to resin manufacturers, Masterbatch producers, compounders or plastics convertors. Clariant’s innovative solutions can also be used for other applications, such as agriculture, coatings, home and personal care. By: Manuel Bröhmer Product Manager Clariant Plastics & Coatings (D) GmbH Gersthofen, Germany Release force [N] Spiral length [cm] 520 — 500 — 480 — 460 — 440 — 420 — 46 — 45 — 44 — 43 — 42 — 41 — 40 — Without Lubricant Without Lubricant Licocare RBW 300 Licocare RBW 102 Standard Montan wax Polymer: Durethan B 29, Dosage: 0,3% Flow Improvement: Polyamide 6 (PA 6) Licocare RBW 300 Licocare RBW 102 Standard Montan wax Standard PETS Standard PETS Formulation for the test; Polymer: Durethan B 29, Dosage of test product: 0,3% Application tests by Clariant show that Licocare RBW solutions achieve higher performance levels compared to alternative solutions on the market. The major two grades for plastics applications, Licocare RBW 300 TP and Licocare RBW 102 TP, fulfil numerous highly demanding requirements set for example by the transportation and electrical and electronic industries. Licocare RBW 300 TP is a highly thermostable, partially saponified wax, Licocare RBW 102 TP is a medium-polarity wax type. Clariant’s new solutions improve melt flow, lower the amount of force required to release parts from molds, ensure a more homogeneous distribution of pigments or fillers, and lead to less yellowing of final products. Furthermore, they offer outstanding processing stability, even at elevated temperatures, due to their superior thermal stability, very low volatility and low metal content. Ultimately, Licocare RBW benefits its customers by significant claims: improved shaping flexibility, better mechanical properties and improved surface finish. Reduced rejection rates and more effective dosage can positively impact the financial bottom line of Clariant’s and its customers’ customers. Clariant has launched its EcoTain ® -certified Licocare RBW solutions in Japan, China and the United States this year and is gradually introducing its sustainable product line for plastics in other markets. Clariant awards its EcoTain sustainable excellence label to products in its portfolio that provide sustainable benefits above market standard and therefore represent best-in-class solutions. “Sustainability has become a major focus in the plastics industry, driven by society’s growing environmental awareness and consumers’ demand for more sustainable plastics”, says Manuel Mueller, Global Head of Market Segment Plastics in Business Line Advanced Surface Solutions at Clariant. “To improve the eco-friendliness and to boost their product performance, plastics companies are increasingly making use of renewable raw materials such as bio-polymers and bio-additives. Our Licocare RBW solutions support this development at the forefront.” MT www.clariant.com 22 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/18] Vol. 13
Additives / Masterbatches Bio-Masterbatches with ecofriendly, mineral pigments Bio-masterbatches from Albrecht Dinkelaker, Polymer- und Produktentwicklung (Zell im Wiesental, Germany) are made with the compostable, waterproof carrier material Caprowax P. They are suitable for use as universal colourants of bioplastics, blends and biocomposites, such as • PLA, PBS, PHA, PCL, Caprowax P-blends • Polysaccharides and derivates, PVAc/bioplastic-blends, • bio-NFC, bio-WPC, PVOH, bio-UPR, bio-TPE and NIPU (Non-isocyanate polyurethane) The pigments added to the Caprowax P base carrier are non-toxic minerals comparable to naturally occurring inorganic pigments, such as oxides, ultramarines, silicates, pyrophosphates, natural carbonates and vegetable carbon. These bio-masterbatches enable bioplastics to be dyed according to the specifications of DIN EN 13432. They are water insoluble, already mineralised and yield colours ranging from light pastel shades to strong, natural hues. The carrier material - Caprowax P - is a mixture of a compostable polyester and modified, GMO-free plant oils, tested and approved by MFPA (Materialforschungs- und -prüfanstalt, University Weimar, Germany). It is compliant with the criteria of DIN EN 13432. The material has been comprehensively tested by MFPA, to evaluate its disintegration at bench scale and the quality of the compost, including its ecotoxicological harmless state (MFPA - Test certificate: P31029-05). Albrecht Dinkelaker’s bio-masterbatches are compatible with many different bioplastics in a wide range of thermoplastic processing technologies: • Injection moulding, thermoforming, blow moulding, compression moulding • fibres, mono- and multifilaments, sheets, foils, films, foams, • hotmelt, NF-biocomposites • and much more … These masterbatches can be supplied in opaque or translucent colours, while achromatic and pearlescent effects are also possible. Step by step, the palette of Caprowax P - bio-masterbatches will be expanded. This includes ecofriendly, calcined Kaolin as white pigment. Interested customers can ask for up to 4 free 50 g samples. Commercial quantities are available in 80 – 500 kg batches. Samples of laboratory prototypes with brightening Kaolin or pearlescent pigments are also available. The mineral color pigments used in Caprowax P are harmless, lightfast, non-migratory, thermally stable, water insoluble and comparable with natural, mineral pigments. They are - in a range of 15 – 40% - low-dusty incorporated in the compostable carrier material and already mineralised. Pigments and carrier material are free of aromatics and toxic heavy metals. For the most part, they are free of nitrogenous substances. The renewable, modified plant oil is GMO-free and presents no competition to food and feed. Bio-masterbatches can be processed at temperatures from 90 to 200 °C, and for a short time up 220 °C. Different bioplastics can be coloured with masterbatches in a range of 0,5 – 6 %. In colored final products separate, mineralic components are ≤1% . MT www.caprowax-p.eu bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/18] Vol. 13 23
