Cabot: Update of additive masterbatch range
A major product development programme by the Cabot Corporation has expanded and updated the company’s range of additive masterbatches, resulting in a comprehensive selection of grades to meet the most common requirements of the plastics converting industry today.
Altogether, 17 new grades have been added to the PLASADD® range, which now includes 40 products in total designed to deliver significant improvements either during processing or in end-use performance with a wide range of thermoplastic polymers. Most PLASADD masterbatches are produced at the company’s factory at Grigno, Italy.
The development programme has involved upgrading existing grades and introducing some entirely new masterbatches to provide improved performance in several different ways’, said Patrice Pirotton, product manager. For example, we have developed new anti-UV and anti-oxidant grades which improve outdoor weathering performance and a number of new slip, antiblock and antifog masterbatches to modify the performance of blown and cast film.
‘There are also several new grades which provide solutions to problems experienced during processing, such as static electricity, porosity, melt fracture and degradation’.
Three new UV stabilizer masterbatches have been developed for the production of greenhouse and mini-tunnel film which comes into contact with agro-chemicals. All incorporate nickel-free stabilizer systems and are compatible with ethylene co-polymers. The grades have been designed to meet specific performance requirements. A non-interacting HALS/UV absorber combination in PLASADD PE8740 gives this grade superior resistance to agro-chemicals, including elemental sulphur, while PE8860 is a highly concentrated formulation which can enable film to be used for up to three seasons in southern Europe.
PE8737, PE8739 and PP8738 are three new masterbatches designed for improving UV stability in a wide range of film, tape and injection-moulded products. These grades are also based on HALS stabilizer systems. PE8737 has been specially developed for mulch and silage stretch wrap films which require good resistance to agro-chemicals, while PE8739 is a highly concentrated grade primarily recommended for HDPE and PP tapes, mouldings, industrial films and agricultural films which do not come into contact with agro-chemicals.
The maintenance of film transparency through the prevention of droplet formation is an increasingly common requirement for packaged food. Cabot has responded to this demand with two anti-fog masterbatches, PLASADD EV8743 and EV8744, which have been designed for laminated and mono-layer films respectively. Both products comply with relevant EU Directives for foodstuffs.
PLASADD EV8742 is another new anti-fog masterbatch, in this case designed for mono-layer and multi-layer film used for mini-tunnels and greenhouses. By preventing droplets forming, it enhances light transmission and considerably reduces plant damage caused by the lens effect and water drip.
Two new additions to the PLASADD range which comply with EU food contact directives help to counter blocking and increase slip in polyethylene film. PE9050 is an LDPE-based grade recommended for films requiring a strong anti-block performance and good clarity, while PE8741 combines slip and anti-block performance. With this grade, the slip additive migrates to the film surface relatively slowly, reducing potential problems during sealing and printing.
Cabot has also introduced several new products that provide processing solutions to problems such as static electricity, porosity, melt fracture and polymer degradation.
For processors requiring anti-static performance Cabot has introduced PLASADD PE8746 and PE8747. The former delivers a fast, long-lasting anti-static effect during the production of film, sheet and mouldings, while PE8747 not only provides a rapid anti-static performance for extrusions and mouldings but also acts as an efficient mould release additive.
PE8847 is a highly concentrated anti-oxidant masterbatch which provides a high degree of thermal protection during production of film and pipe extrusions, as well as in compounding applications. It also improves long-term thermal stability.
LL8809 is a highly concentrated processing aid masterbatch developed for polyolefin films, sheets, mouldings and pipes. It brings a number of improvements, including elimination of melt fracture, die deposit reduction, higher output rates, and improved surface smoothness and glossiness. A second new processing aid – PS8772 – is a polystyrene-based grade which reduces die build-up and smoke during the production of styrenic sheet and mouldings, resulting in improved surface finish.
Responding to the growing use of reclaimed and recycled materials with unknown moisture content, Cabot has developed PLASADD PS8774, a highly concentrated dessicant masterbatch for styrenics. At 1 per cent addition rate, this grade typically absorbs 1500ppm moisture, reducing surface defects, porosity and die build-up during processing.