Loads of new additives & colorants to debut at K 2004.

* Several categories of new polymer additives will be unveiled at this year's largest plastics show--K 2004 in Dusseldorf, Germany, next month. The news includes uv stabilizers, antioxidants, polymer modifiers, and flame retardants. Also on hand will be new developments in colorants, PVC heat stabilizers, new additive forms for improved dispersion, and a new process aid/compatibilizer for wood-filled plastics.

New light stabilizers

Ciba Specialty Chemicals is introducing a proprietary uv stabilizer system that is said to significantly extend the lifetime of flexible PVC outdoors. Tinuvin XT 833 reportedly enables flexible PVC to retain its properties for up to 20 years, which is double the current lifetime for such products. The product also makes PVC more competitive for applications such as roofing membranes versus currently used, highly weatherable polymers such as TPO and EPDM.

Also new from Ciba is a uv filter for packaging. Shelfplus UV 4100 is specially designed to meet the increasing demand for transparent flexible packaging in food, pharmaceutical, and consumer products. It is said to block broad-spectrum uv radiation found in both sunlight and fluorescent lighting in order to protect the stability and appearance of the package contents.

Another new uv absorber for packaging will debut at the K show. Great Lakes Chemical's Lowlite 234 is a benzotriazole that is reportedly highly compatible with PET, so that it can protect the contents of PET containers without adversely affecting physical properties of the resin. Great Lakes will also showcase new Lowlite 36, a high-molecular-weight benzotriazole for clear engineering thermoplastics such as PC, PET, and nylon. It boasts very low extractability and low volatility.

Holland Colors is introducing a new physical form of uv-absorber concentrate for PET containers. Holcoprill UV combines the ease of handling of a masterbatch with the advantages of the company's Holcobatch micro-beads. Due to its unique carrier, this concentrate releases the uv absorber in the first zone of the molding machine barrel, which is said to ensure optimal mixing in the screw. The product has a concentration of 75% active ingredient and is typically used at levels of 0.1% to 0.3%. It can be supplied together with color (e.g., amber or green) and comes in two versions with slightly different uv-absorption spectra.

BASF will unveil its new light stabilizer for automotive interior trim that has soft coverings of sprayed or cast polyurethane and slush-molded TPU. Uvinul 3460 is said to be the first highly effective uv absorber for such products that also achieves a fogging value of only 0.5 mg.

Antioxidants for olefins, PVC

Another new product from Great Lakes is its Anox ProcessPlus antioxidant system, a phenolic blend designed to impart very low color. The first product is designed for PP and HDPE injection molding and BOPP films. The company plans to add more versions for other applications over the next couple of years. Already in development are Anox CompoundPlus and Anox RecyclePlus.

Great Lakes is also launching the first in a series of more customized Anox stabilizer systems that are tailored for optimized cost-performance in specific problem areas. These systems include a primary hindered phenolic, a secondary antioxidant, and in some cases uv stabilizers. The first product, Anox FiberPlus, is designed for PP fibers where it is said to allow for high-speed processing without developing color.

A new environmentally friendly antioxidant for PVC will be featured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals. Irgastab PVC 11 EM is said to provide excellent thermal stability and make processing easier. It is offered in the form of a solvent-free aqueous emulsion and has broad food-contact approvals.

Crompton Corp. will feature the Weston and Ultranox lines of phosphite antioxidants that it acquired from GE Specialty Chemicals last year. They now make Crompton the sole manufacturer of all four families of antioxidants--phenolics, thioesters, phosphites, and amines.

Polymer modifiers

Crompton Corp. will feature its extensive line of Blendex polymer modifiers, acquired from GE Specialty Chemicals last year, which include process aids, gloss reducers, impact modifiers, and heat-distortion modifiers. New additions include a SAN-based grade for clear PVC that reportedly provides very high heat deflection. Also new is Blendex 338, an ABS-based impact medifier for rigid PVC fencing and siding. It is said to have excellent weatherability.

News in flame retardants

Great Lakes Chemical Co. will feature three new flame retardants for engineering thermoplastic electrical connectors, relays, and switches. Firemaster BP411 is a brominated PS and Firemaster CP-44HF is a polybrominated styrene copolymer. Each reportedly offers unusual heat stability, flowability, and blister resistance in glass-reinforced PBT and glass-reinforced nylon 6 and 66. Typical use levels are 19% with 6% antimony trioxide for BP411 and 20% with 4.5% antimony for CP-44HF

The third new product, CN2929, is an experimental non-halogen phosphate designed for flexible PUR foam in automotive seating, where it provides low emissions, and in slabstock. It reportedly does not scorch and is cost-competitive with halogenated phosphates.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals will show two new flame retardants for PP. Tinuvin FR2011 and FR 2022 have the added advantage of providing superior light stability to thick-sectioned PP products. This suits them to outdoor products such as stadium seating.

Dover Chemical Corp. is introducing Hordaresin 171, a resinous chlorinated paraffin that has found a new application as part of a flame-retardant system for injection molded HDPE pallets. When combined with other compounds, it is said to provide excellent flame retardancy and very low rates of peak heat release without compromising physical properties.

Also new from Dover are F-Series liquid chlorinated paraffins that are said to trim costs of flexible PVC compounds by reducing use levels of phosphate ester plasticizers and other FR additives. Improved heat and uv stability as well as improved permanence are also claimed. Products in this series with lower chlorine levels are recommended for plastisols, where viscosity control is required, while more highly chlorinated versions offer lower volatility and are best for cable jacketing, calendering, and extrusion.

Non-warping pigments

Both Ciba Specialty Chemicals and BASF are introducing new phthalocyanine blue pigments that boast low warping in injection molded parts such as polyolefin crates, unlike other phthalo blues. Ciba's new Cromophtal Blue PD 4167 is a high-value blue pigment that is said to provide excellent color strength and excellent temperature stability and dispersibility. BASF will highlight its new Heliogen Blue K7104 LW, the first in a series of low-warping pigments now under development. This high-strength pigment also reportedly has broad process-temperature stability and is approved for food contact.

Ciba is also showing its new Cromophtal Yellow HRPS, a strong redshade yellow with high chroma, high heat resistance (up to 300 C), and low warping in injection molded HDPE. A low-dusting, free-flowing product, it is suited to molded housewares and toys, as well as films and bags. It is also compatible with PVC, styrenics, and low-temperature nylons.

Another Ciba entry is its line of Micranyl NQ-F custom-matched colorants for flexible and rigid PVC. These upgraded pigment formulations are free-flowing and non-dusting and contain no heavy metals of phthalates.

New polymer-soluble colorants for engineering thermoplastics will be introduced by Ciba. The Oracet line has been expanded to include Yellow 3GN, Orange G, and Red 5B.

Lanxess, formerly the Functional Chemicals unit of Bayer, will highlight its extended range of Bayplast organic pigments in microgranule form. These hollow spheres are easily compressed and quickly dispersed in plastics. Previously available Bayplast Red 2B (Iran, Blue G Gran, and Green G Gran are now joined by Bayplast Yellow 5 G Gran and Yellow G Gran. The company aims to offer microgranules for nearly its entire range of organic pigments in the future.

PVC heat stabilizers

Three new alternatives to lead heat stabilizers for PVC wire and cable are being unveiled by Ferro Corp. Manufactured in Europe, Therm-Chek 7206, 7209, and 7710 are now available globally. These cost-competitive CaZn stabilizers, available in powder of stranded form, are said to offer better performance than other mixed-metal stabilizers offered for lead replacement.

Therm-Chek 7206P is for a wide range of wire and cable products, including telecommunications and energy. It is suitable for 70 C primary insulation and jacketing and reportedly offers better heat stability than other CaZn stabilizers in its price range.

Therm-Chek 7209P is for PVC compounders who serve a wide range of customers with varied performance requirements. It is suitable for 70 C, primary insulation and jacketing. Compounds stabilized with this additive are said to exhibit low water absorption and higher heat stability than most competitive stabilizers. It is also recommended for 125 C automotive insulation (T-3) with heat stability and water absorption similar to lead and superior to most CaZn stabilizers.

Crompton Corp. will highlight its new Mark 9300 low-phenol BaZn and CaZn heat stabilizers for flexible vinyl flooring, auto interiors, calendered film, and wall coverings.

Dover Chemical is introducing PCP Phosphites, a new class of phenolfree phosphites for PVC that boast lower volatility, better hydrolytic and thermal stability, and superior weatherability when replacing traditional phosphites in mixed-metal stabilizer systems.

In a related area of PVC additives, Honeywell Specialty Materials is launching a line of high-performance lubricants for rigid window and door profiles, siding, fencing, and pipe.

Other new additives

Among other new additives at the show is Ciba's Irgamod RA 20, a novel chain extender for PET that is said to improve mechanical properties and processability.

Ciba will also debut the ED (Easily Dosable) granule form for its additives, which is said to have areduced attrition rate, low dust content, and a narrow particle-size distribution, all of which result in more precise dosing.

Dover Chemical is introducing Doverbond 3000, the new trade name of its long-chain chlorinated paraffin (LCCP) process aid and compatibilizer for wood-filled HDPE or PP. The additive reportedly enhances die flow and reduces motor torque during extrusion, thereby enabling higher output rates and possibly use of higher woodflour loadings while maintaining dimensional stability and physical properties. It comes in powder, granule, or concentrate forms.

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BASF Corp., Chemicals Div., Mt. Olive, NJ. 800-BC-RESIN, PT Direct: 343MV

Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp., Additives Div., Tarrytown, N.Y. [phone], PT Direct: 983HK

Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp., Pigments Div., High Point, N.C. [phone], PT Direct: 963ZD

Crompton Corp., Middlebury, Conn. [phone], PT Direct: 295QX

Ferro Corp., Polymer Additives Div., Independence, Ohio 800 42 FERRO, PT Direct: 383VB

Great Lakes Chemical Corp., Indianapolis [phone], PT Direct: 238NR

Holland Colors Americas Inc., Richmond, Ind. [phone], PT Direct: 384LM

Honeywell Specialty Materials, Morristown, N.J. [phone], PT Direct: 897SM

Lanxess Corp., Pittsburgh [phone], PT Direct: 411NZ