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Compounding World September 2018
Compounding World September 2018
Compounding World September 2018
WORLD
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PAGE 4
4 News
LyondellBasell completes acquisition of A Schulman, Grupa Azoty
invests more in plasticisers, new US plastics shows set for
Cleveland, BPC expands toll compounding, VTT nano-compound PAGE 27
lifts 3D print speeds, IMCD buys Velox.
27 Reacting to change
Reactive compounding offers performance modifying
opportunities not available using blend processing. Mark Holmes
reviews the latest developments.
82 Diary
© Copyright Applied Market Information. No part may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher.
LyondellBasell completes
A Schulman acquisition
LyondellBasell has completed the PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK Massimo Covezzi, LyondellBasell
acquisition of compounding giant A Senior Vice-President of R&D, said it is
Schulman. The move doubles the size seeking “to create a new and complete
of LyondellBasell’s compounding plastic waste molecular recycling
business and broadens its reach into process. The goal is to develop a high
markets such as automotive, construc- efficiency and clean plastic depoly-
tion materials, electronic goods and merisation process, through catalyst
packaging. innovation, to transform plastic waste
The company said the Schulman back to the chemical building blocks.”
business will be combined with The move follows the polymer
LyondellBasell’s existing PP com- producer’s recent acquisition of a 50%
pounding asset into a newly created Schulman buy doubles size of Lyondell- stake in Netherlands-based Quality
single reporting segment called Basell’s compounding business Circular Polymers (QCP), which
Advanced Polymer Solutions. Its mechanically recycles polyolefins from
products include the Catalloy brand of n Separately, LyondellBasell has post-consumer waste streams, and is
thermoplastic resins and Polybutene-1 signed a cooperation deal with the said to complement it by adding
resins from LyondellBasell, plus the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) chemical recycling to the company’s
whole of Schulman’s range of engi- in Germany to develop technology to technology portfolio.
neered composites, powders and convert post-consumer plastic waste � www.lyondellbasell.com/advancedpolymersolutions
masterbatches. into monomers for reuse in polymers. � www.kit.edu
Cardozo with tyre Cardozo, “They are strategic plant was built 35 years
raw material partners, who will play a key ago. It said there is strong
role in the development of Chinese demand for ADN.
our technology and who will Over the past five years,
speed up our international it has invested more than
roll-out.” $600m in China.
� www.blackbearcarbon.com � www.invista.com
PHOTO: VERSARIEN
neering group Versarien has
NEW
ThermoFlow® 641 for PP
ThermoFlow®
chopped strands
Product Guide
fibers@jm.com
Contact us
https://twitter.com/JohnsManville
ThermoFlow® StarRov®
ThermoFlow® chopped strands StarRov® direct rovings engineered
engineered by JM provide excellent by JM expand the use of thermoplastics
matrix bonding with enhanced in polyolefins and polyamides. Expand
compounding productivity for your your business with the use of StarRov®
thermoplastic polymers. structural performance.
www.jm.com www.jm.com
NEWS
For more information on the Extrusion Expo 2019, Plastics Recycling World Expo 2019 and
Compounding World Expo 2019, please visit: https://www.ami.international/exhibitions
said it aims to process over 1m tonnes/year facility is expected to open this autumn
of waste plastic by 2030. using waste fats and oils as raw materials.
ReNew ELP is separately beginning � http://neste.com
Next-generation compounding:
The new ZE BluePower with maximum
performance and enlarged volume!
The ZE BluePower series offers highly innovative and flexible solutions perfectly tailored to
your specific compounding tasks.
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Engineering Value
NEWS
NEWS
IN BRIEF...
Mitsui Elastomers Singa-
pore (MELS), a subsidiary
of Japan’s Mitsui Chemi-
cals, is to increase capacity
for the Tafmer brand of
PHOTO: ENTEK
high performance elasto-
mers at its Jurong Island
facility from 200,000 to
Pictured from left by the new line: BPC’s General Manager Mike Krause, Process Manager Reggie 225,000 tonnes/year by
Dunn and Operator Austin Castleberry about July 2020. Tafmer is
used as an impact modifier
compounding capacity
packaging materials,
engineering plastic
modifiers and sports shoe
BPC Toll Compounding & underwater pelletiser. “In mica, calcium carbonate midsoles.
Blending of Meredosia, the past our capacity was and flame retardants, www.mitsuichemicals.com
Illinois, has commenced limited to one line, now we Originally located in
production on the Entek are able to expand our Houston, BPC moved to Addivant’s Weston 705
73mm twin-screw extruder customer base,” said Illinois in 2012 and diversi- nonylphenol-free stabiliser
compounding line it General Manager Mike fied from testing services to has been included in the
ordered at the last NPE Krause. “In addition to the toll compounding. The revision to the food contact
show. extruder, we are adding company currently employs regulation of the South
The company will use the more blending capacity as 20 people in a 7,400 m² American Mercosur region.
new line mainly to expand well as more trucks and plant. The material is already
its toll compounding off-loading equipment to The facility includes a approved for such uses in
business, whose capacity handle the increased development lab with a more than 180 countries
will rise from 10,000 to extrusion capacity.” compounding line with a and is the first antioxidant
27,000 tonnes/year as a BPC makes a wide range strand pelletiser, lines for since the 1970s to achieve
result. of compounds based on PP, five-layer blown film and such widespread food
This line is BPC’s second PE, TPOs, TPEs and engi- cast film and tape, and an contact approval, accord-
and features K-Tron Coperi- neering polymers, using injection moulding machine. ing to the company.
on feeders and a Gala additives that include talc, � https://bpctoll.com www.weston705.com
NEWS
IN BRIEF...
VTT lifts 3Dprint speeds
Finnish research institute
Celanese has announced VTT and nanotechnology
price increases across its firm Carbodeon have
range of engineered developed a new PLA-based
plastics, with US users compound containing
facing the biggest hit as a carbon nanodiamonds for
result of the US Trade 3Dprint applications that is
Representative’s implemen- claimed to offer improved
tation of a 25% tariff on PBT mechanical and thermal
and PET products imported properties and process
into the country from China. faster.
Prices of PBT and PET rise According to VTT, the
PHOTO: VTT
by €0.13/kg in Europe and spherical-shaped nanodia-
$0.15/kg in Asia (outside of monds increase modulus of
China) but will see a 25% 3Dprinted test samples by
increase in the US. up to 200% compared to Researchers in the VTT pilot plant with the new nanodiamond
www.celanese.com current PLA grades used in compound
this market. They also
German distributor Krahn increase thermal conductiv- allow them to be melt well. VTT has been a
Chemie has expanded its ity and act as a lubricant, processed and has already long-term, reliable partner
cooperation with Valtris which is said to reduce the produced a 600kg batch on in this development, and
Speciality Chemicals with risk of nozzle blocking and its pilot plant. has reacted to our needs
an agreement to distribute increases throughput. “This is the first product quickly,” said Carbodeon
the Santiciser plasticiser for VTT’s researchers of a family that will be sold CEO Vesa Myllymäki.
flexible PVC, rubber, developed a way of dispers- as a finished 3D filament � www.carbodeon.com
coatings, adhesives and ing the nanoparticles to and in a granular format, as � www.vtt.fi
sealants in France. It already
distributes Valtris’s stabiliser
portfolio there and Santi-
ciser across most of Europe.
RMCC trebles Mg(OH)2 capacity
www.krahn.eu Russian Mining Chemical from 50,000 to 150,000 mainly PP and PP, which are
www.valtris.com Company (RMCC) is tonnes/yr. used in wire and cable,
opening a third plant for RMCC products are roofing membranes and
Polydist UK is adding production of natural distributed by Netherlands- aluminium composite
several more products from magnesium hydroxide at based Europiren. They panels.
SABIC Specialties to its Vyazma in the Smolensk include Ecopiren flame As well as being halogen-
portfolio of polymer resins, region, increasing capacity retardants for polymers, free and non-toxic, Ecopiren
including Noryl and Ultem is claimed to suppress and
PHOTO: RUSSIAN MINING CHEMICAL
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Concentrating on colour
Today is proving a turbulent time for plastics “Together, we bring a broad product portfolio to Main image:
coloration and a lot of that has to do with the word the market with a unique value proposition,” says Dr The pigments
of the decade - sustainability. Tougher environmen- Mark Vincent, CEO of Dominion Colour Corporation. industry is
tal rules in China and India have created severe Donald Greenwald, CEO and President of Lansco seeing
shortages of some key raw materials used to Colors, adds that, “as a combined entity, we will be considerable
produce organic pigments, with the inevitable able to offer customers significant synergies and activity. Ferro
consequence of price rises. The situation for benefits of scale. Each of us brings our own comple- Corporation,
polymer-soluble dyes is not dissimilar, according to mentary strengths. By combining to create a broader for example,
at least one un-named supplier of these colourants global pigment provider, we will offer a range of has expanded
(used mostly for colouring engineering plastics), organic and inorganic pigments, dispersions, and its position with
and that may go some way to explain the recent preparations that will be unmatched in the industry.” acquisitions
uptick in M&A activity among suppliers. The pigments industry has seen some drastic and capacity
This April, for example, Dominion Colour changes in 2018, according to Lansco Global investments
Corporation (DCC), which makes high performance Product & Marketing Manager Dr Bruce Howie.
pigments, dispersions, and preparations for plastics “We are seeing increased regulatory requirements
as well as coatings and specialty inks, and Lansco and environmental restrictions across the world, as
Colors, a major supplier of a wide-range of quality well as increasing raw material costs that are
pigments sold to similar industries, said they would affecting pigment prices and therefore down-
merge to form DCC Lansco. Dominion has manufac- stream industries. This is affecting businesses
turing facilities in Canada, the Netherlands, and the including our own, and we’re adapting to remain
UK, as well as technical sales offices throughout the competitive whilst continuing to create sustainable
Americas, Europe, and Asia. Lansco serves around solutions for our customers,” he says.
600 US customers in the coatings, ink and plastics “The next step in this merger is to align our
markets as well as in selected international markets. global sales and customer service teams. In the
www.fineblend.com.cn
COLOUR | PIGMENTS
Jeff Zaskoda, Penn Color Plant Manager (left) and ENTEK’s Bill Petrozelli at
Penn Color’s Milton, WI Facility
“Business has grown strongly and consistently for Penn Color, both for our thermoplastic and liquid dispersants businesses.
We’ve added several new facilities and added capacity at legacy facilities, all in the support of growth related to our
thermoplastic color and additive businesses.
We have a wide range of ENTEK Extruders and have continued to purchase ENTEK machines over the years to support our
growth. They make reliable, quality machinery. But more than that, the technical support and customer service that ENTEK
provides is phenomenal.
A good example of this is ENTEK’s spare parts stocking program. It helps us stay lean with our inventory; and we can call
on ENTEK to ship the parts we need, when we need them.”
PHOTO: LANXESS
is increasing Business Development – Global Industry Manage-
production ment Plastics, introduced no fewer than three new
capacity for developments in this area: an inorganic red, a
Macrolex heat-stable red for polyamide, and two DPP reds
soluble organic that fulfil purity demands in applications such as
dyes mineral water bottle closures.
Highly durable inorganic red pigments are
either rather orange in colour, low in chroma or
suffer from a bad toxology profile, he said. An
experimental BASF pigment, PR 290, based on a
new chemistry, is more chromatic than iron oxides
and more red than Sn/Zn/Ti oxide (PO 82). It is also
stable at temperatures over 350°C.
A new heat-stable red for polyamides, Cinquasia
Rubine K 4370 FK, expands the colour space into
the medium red area and has high hiding power beverage bottles, electronic devices, car taillights
(Figure 1). It has very good dispersibility and very and children’s toys. They are used for colouring
good lightifastness, and is also FDA compliant. styrenics, polycarbonate, PET, and acrylic (PMMA).
Finally, Irgazin Red K 3840 UP and a low-warp Dominik Risse, who is responsible for Lanxess’s
version 3840 LW are described as control refined Colorant Additives Business, says that because
products, with strict specifications to NIAS (non- regulatory requirements are becoming stricter,
intentionally added substances) for off-flavour especially in sensitive application areas, demand is
sensitive applications. growing for products with high purity, “for which
Lanxess is the market leader.”
More colour capacity
Lanxess, also a major colour supplier, said in Liquid colours
February that it would increase capacity for Companies introducing new liquid colourants
Macrolex dyes by 25% at its Leverkusen site in include Toyocolor and Riverdale. Toyocolor, a Toyo
Germany. The extra capacity is intended to be Ink Group company, is launching liquid colour
available from the end of this year. Philipp Junge, masterbatches into its Lioplax family of colorant
Head of Lanxess’s Rhein Chemie business unit, says solutions this autumn. It says a full range of colour
the company sees a significant increase in demand and effect masterbatches are available for PET/PC
for high quality dyes for plastics, especially in Asia. applications. They include grades blended with
Macrolex soluble organic dyes are primarily organic and inorganic pigments and dyes, and
used for the coloration of products such as special effect formulations incorporating pearl
pigments and additives that enhance surface
appearance. They are said to be easily incorpo-
rated into transparent or translucent polymers, with
typical target applications in beverage, cosmetics,
beauty care and household goods.
The new line-up is formulated using Toyo’s nano-
scale liquid and solid dispersion technologies,
which enable them to maintain a high level of
reflectivity in pearl pigments. “Moreover,” says a
representative, “Toyocolor researchers succeeded
in dispersing functional nanofillers in the polymer
matrix – a feat that is difficult to accomplish with
conventional pellet concentrates. Excellent
performance can be achieved even at low let-down
rates.” The new Lioplax line-up contains special-
effect masterbatches in both liquid and solid forms
Figure 1: BASF’s Cinquasia Rubine K 4370 FK expands the colour space that give adjustable frosted finish and a grainy
for polyamide (calculated for L* = 40 -) textures to PET bottles.
Source: BASF
Riverdale Global has commissioned its first fully
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COMPEO combines the performance and robustness of its
predecessors in a single modular series. Designed for all
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COLOUR | PIGMENTS
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REACTIVE COMPOUNDING | PROCESSING
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Reacting to change
Reactive compounding offers performance modifying
opportunities not available using blend processing.
Mark Holmes finds out more about the latest developments
Reactive compounding techniques offer the Stuttgart, typically on a small ZSK extruder.” Main image:
opportunity to modify polymers and filler interac- Fiedler says that the modular design of the ZSK TPU production
tions to achieve levels of performance not possible extruder process section and the variety of individual is among a
through conventional mechanical blending and twin screw elements allows the company’s engineers growing
melt mixing. Interest is being fueled by more to adjust the extruder setup exactly to the require- number of
demanding end-user requirements and growing ments of the reaction process. Particular attention is opportunities
interest in compounds such as TPEs, as well as the paid to residence time and process cooling, which is for reactive
growing need to handle and enhance complex eased by the ability to configure extruder process compounding
waste plastic streams. And there’s a clear trend sections with L/D rations of up to 80. technology
away from traditional batch to continuous reactive The Coperion test laboratory in Stuttgart is well
processing, with compounding extruders adapting equipped with extruders from the smallest sized
their equipment to suit. ZSK 18 MEGAlab up to the ZSK 70. In addition, it
Markus Fiedler, Senior Process Engineer with can utilise more than 100 gravimetric feeders for
Coperion, confirms the continuous processing different kind of materials as well as more than 60
trend. “Our customers are changing over from batch gravimetric liquid feeding systems. Liquid feeders
processes to continuous production for a variety of are available for a broad range of viscosities and
reasons, such as cost-effectiveness, easier cleaning options include heated liquid feeding systems and
and more precise process control,” he says. “Typi- piping to the extruder for test setups. A dedicated
cally, Coperion supports the changeover from batch aspiration system and special personal safety
to continuous in a two-step process. Firstly, we equipment also allows trials with hazardous
create a detailed analysis of the existing batch materials, such as isocyanates, amines or even
process together with the customer and transfer it to selected CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic and
twin screw extrusion. In a second step, a feasibility reproduction toxic) categorised materials after
trial will be done in the Coperion test laboratory in individual examination under safe conditions. �
www.compoundingworld.com September 2018 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 27
PROCESSING | REACTIVE COMPOUNDING
Coperion’s wet
bushing
technology (left)
provides more
intensive barrel
cooling than
conventional
cooling channels
(right)
Source: Coperion
Fiedler emphasises that there is more to special TPV compounds. In this example, compound-
achieving a successful reactive extrusion process ing of all the ingredients and the necessary crosslink-
than just residence time. Cooling, particularly ing reaction was all achieved in one process step.
where exothermic reactions are taking place, is Due to the extended processing length for the
also a major issue. “Coperion has developed a extruder used, Leistritz says it was able to design the
barrel in a new cooling design with ‘wet bushing’,” system to optimally compound the several compo-
he says. “Barrels equipped with ‘wet bushing’ allow nents and then carry out chemical crosslinking of the
intensive cooling of the product inside the extruder EPDM component in the final step.
at a temperature range of below 100°C. Compared Leistritz adds that reactive compounding is also
to a barrel with normal cooling channels that circle a potential application area for its recently devel-
around the eight-bore of the extruder, the barrel oped Elongational Rheometer, which facilitates
with the wet bushing allows more intensive cooling much improved inline process monitoring. It says
as the liner is directly cooled with water.” strategies are under development to use data from
the unit within an integrated control loop.
Economic concerns The move from reactive compounding to
The engineering team at Leistritz agrees that, for continuous processing is also identified as a key
economic reasons, reactive compounding process- industry trend at JSW, where engineers also
es are being moved from non-continuous produc- confirm that control of polymer temperature and
tion systems to continuous processes. The com- residence time are the prime considerations in
pany says that the long residence time that can be maintaining stable reaction processing. One current
achieved in conventional batch systems, such as an trend it sees for reactive extrusion, particularly in
agitated vessel, can be compensated for in a twin Europe, is in chemical recycling of waste polymer.
screw extruder through smart process JSW says that a high torque extruder can control
control, tight temperature control or by polymer temperature while optimised
generating additional surface mixing screw elements are needed
Right: Leistritz area through the mixing charac- to obtain enough residence
expects its teristics of the screw profile. time. The company says its
recently New application areas TEX-αIII extruder can deliver the
introduced emerging for reactive com- torque required while its TEX-FAN
elongational pounding include polymerisation simulation software can analyse
rheometer to reactions, degassing and crosslinking. polymer behaviour, predicting
find applica- In order to meet these requirements, temperature and residence time inside
tion in reaction Leistritz says that it has extended the the extruder.
process control length of the processing unit of its twin
screw extruders. The company has Performance demands
recently supplied extruders in lengths Meanwhile, Adam Dreiblatt, Director
PHOTO: LEISTRITZ
P HO
Right: TPVs, produced using simple mechanical blending. “The
TO
which are ability to tailor residence time distribution (RTD) and
:S
HU
increasingly the degree of mixing combined with self-wiping
TT
ER
being used in characteristics makes intermeshing and co-rotating O
ST
CK
automotive twin screw extruders the perfect reactor for polymeri-
sealing sation, polymer modification and compatibilisation
applications, of blends,” he says. optimise the reaction
lend them- “The limitations for reactive processing on twin separately from the devola-
selves to screw extruders are mostly economic and not tilisation, but requires more floor space
reactive technical; the extruder can produce the desired and significantly more capital,“ he says.
compounding functionality, however, the capital equipment cost Dreiblatt says there are many patents describing
may be prohibitive at the capacity required to obtain reactive compounding using multiple extruders in
the desired properties,“ according to Dreiblatt. series, as the concept is not new. However, he adds
“The relatively small volume of twin screw that specially equipped test facilities to trial new
extruders becomes a limitation for reactions reactive extrusion chemistries using the two-ma-
requiring average residence time more than a few chine approach for increased residence time will
minutes. The majority of current materials pro- be needed. “Such facilities must be capable of
duced via reactive compounding can operate feeding solids and liquids at multiple points along
within this range of residence times. The new the extruders, deep vacuum pressure with multiple
polymer chemistries - yet to be developed - may vents and handling potentially flammable sol-
require much longer residence time,“ he says. vents,” he says. “The US company Orrex, for
Dreiblatt says there are only two options for example, has pioneered the development and
increasing residence time beyond a few minutes production of new products via reactive com-
and both dramatically impact on the production pounding using two machines in series.”
cost of such materials. The first is to increase free
volume and this means either using a larger Within the ring
diameter extruder for a given throughput or to Dreiblatt adds that CPM’s RingExtruder (developed
accept significantly reduced capacity. He says that within the German company Extricom that was
for a given screw diameter, the extruder length acquired by CPM in 2017) offers the same desirable
(L/D) can be extended in some cases up to 100D or characteristics of twin screw extruders for reactive
more to provide increased free volume along with processing – including self-wiping, narrow RTD and
increased diameter ratio. flexible screw configuration for optimised mixing –
The second option is to arrange two extruders in but with significantly higher free volume for reactive
series. “With the two-machine approach, the systems requiring much longer residence time.
reaction can be completed in the first machine The high free volume is achieved in the RingEx-
which feeds directly into a second machine for truder design using twelve co-rotating and
devolatilisation of reaction by-products and/or intermeshing screws arranged around a stationary
residual monomer. This option provides the central core. This geometry provides the equivalent
flexibility to run each machine at different speeds - residence time of two twin screw extruders in
each machine can be a different diameter - to series with much less floor space and with a lower
cost for an equivalent throughput. The geometry of
the RingExtruder also provides the increased
surface/volume (compared to twin-screw extrud-
ers) required for the high levelvs of heat transfer
necessary for exothermic reactions. The higher
surface/volume of the RingExtruder also provides
increased venting efficiency.
“There are many polymers and materials that are
manufactured using multiple-step batch processes
simply because the residence times required are
much longer than can be achieved in twin screw
extruders. These reactions may be possible within
JSW says its TEX-αIII extruder the RingExtruder with extended L/D,“ says Dreiblatt.
JSW
provides the torque levels He also sees potential for the technology in the
O:
OT required for reaction compounding TPU sector. “Reactive polymerisation of TPU has
PH
MTI Mischtechnik International GmbH | Tel. +49 (5231) 914-0 | Email: info@mti-mixer.de
PROCESSING | REACTIVE COMPOUNDING
PHOT
O: CP
M EXT
Right: Ring been in commercial produc- RUSIO
N GRO
UP
extruders are a tion using twin screw
good solution extruders for more than 20
where high free years and is experiencing tremen-
volume and dous growth with new applica-
residence time tions for TPU. The process requires
is required, intimate mixing of monomers with
accoridng to catalyst, long residence time,
CPM excellent heat transfer and self-
wiping screws – all of which are
achieved using twin screw extruders. The
scale-up to larger diameter twin screw
extruders of more than 100 mm, however, is
limited by the decrease in heat transfer. This is phenomena can arise during extrusion that have to
just one example of an application that would be an be considered and the literature may not be of
excellent candidate for the RingExtruder, due to the assistance. This has to be answered by alternative
higher surface/volume as compared to a twin screw process setups and screw configurations,” Berg-
extruder,” says Dreiblatt. mann says.
Bergmann also sees new application areas
Combined processing emerging for reactive compounding. “In my
One of the organisations at the forefront of reactive opinion, material optimisation such as upcycling
extrusion research is Fraunhofer ICT in Germany and utilisation of secondary raw materials, as well
and Dr Björn Bergmann, who is Team Leader of the as efficient polymer modifications – even polymeri-
Compounding and Extrusion Research Group, sation in some cases – are all questions that can be
highlights a number of current trends. “Firstly, there answered using reactive compounding,” he says.
is considerable potential to combine processes to “For example, recently we developed reactive
save energy and shear force introduced into the compounding-based recycling processes for EPDM
material. In addition, there is the possibility to and the production of polyurethanes and polygly-
utilise polymeric secondary waste streams, which colic acid through an addition polymerisation and
are only able to be processed using solvent polycondensation reactions. Future developments
intensive processes or using extruders,“ he says. at Fraunhofer ICT currently involve feasability
“For reactive compounding, both a knowledge investigations into other polymerisation reactions
from polymer processing/compounding and from to be achieved in reactive extrusion. The question
chemistry is needed – a combination not always of advanced recycling strategies, including VOC
present in companies. Other issues arise in reactive and/or odour removal for primary and secondary
compounding, such as questions involving the raw materials, by advanced compounding technol-
handling of hazardous goods in compounding ogy is our main focus.”
surroundings, which processors usually try to The EPDM project at Fraunhofer ICT involved
avoid. Finally, particularly when significantly the devulcanisation or decrosslinking of post
influencing the viscosity of material during reactive production waste EPDM rubber. Part of the REUSE
compounding – which often happens – new project, which was funded by the German Federal
PROCESSING | REACTIVE COMPOUNDING
Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under sation, which has to be removed constantly, it poses
agreement number 01DL17004A, the consortium specific problems in reactive extrusion. Fraunhofer
works with EPDM concerns from different applica- ICT opted to use a cascade setup for the project.
tion areas. Using twin screw extruders, the fully Starting from glycolic acid in aqueous solution, a
vulcanised rubber was devulcanised. This involved pre-polymerisation step and subsequent polymeri-
a proportion of the bonds creating the rubber sation are performed in a continuous setup. While
network being cleaved to leave a secondary raw the initial steps are performed in vessels dedicated
material suitable for reuse. to low viscosity materials, twin screw extruders take
In order to increase reaction efficiency, the over the material showing thermoplastic behaviour.
extruder was equipped with an additional ultra- This combination ensures that the material is
sound energy input. The additional ultrasound always processed by machinery optimised for the
shear forces acting on the material results in required characteristics. It means each item of
improved devulcanisation rates, providing an machinery is able to work in optimal processing
additional tool in the complex field of reactive windows, allowing good material properties with
extrusion process parameters. To enhance the minimum stress.
reaction further, carbon dioxide was also dosed
into the extruder. Depending on the chosen screw TPU reality
configuration, the carbon dioxide can be intro- The production of TPU through reactive extrusion is
duced in liquid form or in a supercritical state. This even closer to industrial realisation, according to
additional ingredient in the extrusion process Fraunhofer ICT. Unlike the polycondensation
allows the viscosity to be varied significantly - en- process, this reaction is fast and a cascade setup is
hancing the ultrasound energy input. not required. In fact, the reaction is so fast that
“It is a highly complex field of dependent extruder considerations, such as dosing systems,
interactions,” says Bergmann. “However, after a order of dosing and homogenisation of all compo-
couple of days we understood the characteristics of nents, play a major role in the resulting material
the materials provided to us and managed to supply properties. To solve these problems, Fraunhofer ICT
very promising materials to the project partners.” says it employed its chemical laboratory and
The changes in the material characteristics and expertise in small-scale batch reactions in combina-
the behaviour observed during the extrusion tion with its highly flexible reactive extrusion labora-
process can be seen in the images above. Al- tory. Using its 18 and 27 mm extruders, with process-
though the project is only half way through, ing lengths of 60 and 30 L/D, combined with options
Bergmann says the project partners are delighted for material addition, degassing and analytics, it says
with the results obtained so far and Fraunhofer ICT it was able to build a customised line.
will show a number of the resulting materials at its
booth at Fakuma in October this year. CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION:
� www.coperion.com
Demanding reactions � www.leistritz.com
In another funded project at Fraunhofer ICT, the � www.jsw.co.jp
demanding process of polycondensation has been � www.centuryextrusion.com
addressed. Due to the reaction kinetics and the � www.orrex.com
water produced during polycondensation polymeri- � www.ict.fraunhofer.de
MARS
will be the next?
Almaty, Kazakhstan
14-16 November 2018
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Bringing stability
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
to plastics
Plastics have earned a reputation for durability but plastic packaging will be recyclable by 2030 – the Main image:
that is not by chance. Whether for long-life applica- quality of the recyclate will become more important Surface crazing
tions such as automotive parts, products intended as it finds uses in more demanding applications. The is one of the
for just a few years in the field – literally – such as stabilisation system will be required to protect the most immedi-
agricultural films, or single-use packaging that is polymer during processing, use and reprocessing.” ately visible
destined – hopefully – for near immediate recycling, Marshall notes that in applications with short signs of
plastics need chemical additives to provide service lives such as packaging, the stabilisation inadequate
sufficient stability to survive processing and requirements for processing are more demanding polymer
intended use. Polyolefins are key beneficiaries of than those for the service life. For such cases, stabilisation
such additives: antioxidants, UV absorbers, and Everspring offers customised combinations of
hindered amine light (HALS), and heat stabilisers. well-proven stabilisers such as its Evernox range of
Additive suppliers continue to make progress in hindered phenolic antioxidants and Everfos
developing products for this sector that are better phosphites, together with what he says are highly
performing, more cost-effective, and safer. effective boosters such as Everstab FS042, a dialkyl
Plastics deteriorate over time as a result of the hydroxylamine which acts as a catalytic chain-
polymer chains reacting with oxygen via autocata- breaking radical scavenger.
lytic reactions. Antioxidants, added at a sufficient Recent work carried out by Everspring as part of
concentration, slow down these oxidation reactions. a study with a plastics recycler has shown that while
“With an increased focus on recycling polymers it the same families of stabilisers, with their proven
has become important to reconsider what consti- performance and broad regulatory approvals, are
tutes ‘sufficient stabilisation’ for even single-use able to meet future requirements of stabilising the
short service-life applications,” says Dr Niall Marshall, polymer sufficiently to allow for successful post-use
Technical Manager with Everspring Middle East (part recycling, there are some additional factors which
of Taiwanese producer Everspring Chemical). need to be taken into account.
“As the volume of polymer to be recycled “Even virgin polymer which appears to have the
increases –the European Commission’s Strategy for same levels of stabiliser performance after five
Plastics in a Circular Economy envisages that all extrusions is found to have a significantly different
PHOTO: AMPACET
Ampacet’s ageing,” Marshall says. “Adding additional antioxi-
Agristab 372 dant during recycling (following the oven ageing)
UV stabilising does help retard further increases in MFI during
masterbatch subsequent multiple extrusion, but it does not
offers better eliminate the differences observed in the first
greenhouse post-ageing extrusion, nor does it undo any
film perfor- damage already done to the polymer.” This is
mance where shown in Figures 1a and 1b.
sulphur Everspring’s work has demonstrated that the
fumigation is presence of sufficient levels of active hydroperoxide
used decomposers (its Everfos 626 and 9228 for exam-
ple) in the polymer as it is being melted for recycling
is important to maintain the polymer’s properties.
“This is because hydroperoxides, which form during
the service life of the polymer in air, are relatively es. But the use of sulphur fumigation leads to a loss
stable at ambient temperatures but rapidly decom- of UV stabilising properties of the greenhouse film
pose causing a surge in oxidation reactions while as photo-oxidation of sulphur deposited on the
the polymer is being heated for reprocessing but greenhouse film surface can yield acidic species,
before any additional antioxidant can be blended in deactivating HALS stabilisers. Ampacet says
to the polymer melt,” Marshall says. Agristab 372 provides greenhouse film with
outstanding resistance to pesticides, allowing
Agricultural options usage of up to 5,000 ppm sulphur for a green-
Moving to products with lifetimes measured in house that can last for more than three years. It
years rather than weeks and months, Ampacet has does not affect the colour of the film and offers
introduced Agristab 372, which it describes as a very high light transmission.
highly effective UV-stabilising masterbatch that Solvay has introduced Cyasorb Cynergy
outperforms conventional HALS and NOR HALS Solutions M528 light stabiliser, specifically devel-
stabilisers typically used in greenhouse film when oped for masterbatch producers. “Its value lies in
pesticides are heavily used. the additional formulation flexibility and increased
“Typical greenhouse film containing conven- production efficiency that it imparts by enabling the
tional NOR HALS stabilisers is designed for masterbatch producers to produce either super-
maximum 3,000 ppm sulphur content and three concentrates or combi-batches, resulting in lower
years, or four seasons, of effectiveness, while the let-down and higher profits,” says Andrea Landuzzi,
market tends to require greenhouses with longer Global Marketing Director, Technology Solutions
life-spans and higher pesticide usage, to withstand – Polymer Additives, at Solvay Technology Solutions.
up to 5,000 ppm sulphur for a duration of more This new UV stabiliser is part of Solvay’s M
than three years,” the company says. Series, which the company says ensure good
Sulphur evaporators are one of the most long-term quality protection for general PE durable
commonly-used methods to fumigate greenhous- injection and blow moulded articles – crates, boxes,
Figure 1a and 1b: Recycling presents greater challenges for polymer stabilisation. A system that works well to protect virgin PP
through multiple reprocessing steps (Figure 1a) can be far less effective when the material has a previous service exposure
history (simulated in Figure 1b by oven ageing). Source: Everspring Chemical
kflex@emeraldmaterials.com
+1.800.223.0035 | kflex@emeraldmaterials.com
kflex.emeraldmaterials.com
ADDITIVES | ANTIOXIDANTS & STABILISERS
drums, storage and industrial containers, water tions (Figure 3a and 3b) and surpasses key auto-
tanks, trash and roll-out carts, toys and the like – at motive requirements such as low VOC emission,
reduced loading levels low fogging, low odour and no interference with
“The high efficiency of this 100% active product paint adhesion. It comes in the form of non-dusting
enables its users to reach similar performance as off-white to light yellow pellets that do not agglom-
traditional HALS at half the loading required and to erate and offers colour and gloss stabilisation. It
add other functional additives into the master- does not migrate or bloom. Cost savings compared
batch,” Landuzzi says. Used at similar concentration to other commercial UV stabilisers are said to be
as traditional HALS, the new stabiliser will provide “significant.”
additional stabilisation up to 16,000 hours ASTM Commenting on the migration behaviour of
G155 weathering (Figure 2). Cyasorb Cyxtra V9900, Landuzzi emphasises the
importance of adhesion between automotive paint
Targeting automotive coatings and plastics substrates. “Migrating
Another new stabiliser, Cyasorb Cyxtra V9900 for additives can change the TPO surface wetting
polypropylene-based materials used in automotive behaviour and negatively affect the adhesion,” he
interior and exterior applications, meets global UV says. “Cyasorb Cyxtra V9900 has demonstrated
weathering standards at lower “cost-to-stabilise,” little to no migration in TPO, resulting in excellent
Solvay says. The additive, introduced late last year, paint adhesion properties.”
is claimed to deliver “next generation UV stabilisa- At Songwon, Thomas Schmutz, Director of
tion technology” in unreinforced, reinforced and Global Technical Services & Application Develop-
elastomer-modified compounds (TPEs and TPOs). ment, says that emissions from polypropylene are
Cyasorb Cyvxtra V9000t is said to meet all one of the biggest challenges faced by car manu-
worldwide automotive UV weathering specifica- facturers today. “In automotive interior applications
in particular, emissions depend on the purity and
degradation of the polyolefin, and the solubility
and inertness of the additives used,” he says. “Resin
producers have introduced low-VOC products
[but] these grades are more expensive than
standard products and do not always meet
profitability requirements.”
One way to reduce VOC emissions is to slow
down the pelletising step after the polymerisation
of the PP, but this increases the cost of the resin,
Schmutz says. Songwon’s XP2085 experimental
processing stabiliser for PP “combines cost
efficiency with reduced VOC, allowing the resin
Figure 2: Performance of Cyasorb Cynergy Solutions M528 light
producer to run the pelletisation step faster.”
stabiliser after ASTM G155 weathering Source: Solvay
New stabiliser packages can reduce emission
Source: Solvay
Figure 4a and 4b: Data showing gloss retention of a black PP-GF40 formulation after xenon weathering (Figure 4a) and thermal
ageing at 150°C (Figure 4b). ADK STAB LA-402, a synergistic HALS blend based on low molecular weight HALS, shows equivalent
surface protection to ADK STAB LA-502 but the latter displays much better gloss retention after oven ageing
Source: Adeka Polymer Additives
For electronic packaging, fuel hoses, flooring, For seals, water-meters, heat sinks,
power cables and accessories, conveyor belts, geothermal pipes, LED light sockets and gas
primers for electrostatic painting and ATEX barrier properties
applications
ADDITIVES | ANTIOXIDANTS & STABILISERS
www.konicaminolta.eu/colibri
colibri@seu.konicaminolta.eu
ADDITIVES | ANTIOXIDANTS & STABILISERS
New capacities
Addivant is not the only additives supplier adding
capacity. Last October, Solvay said it would invest
to double the capacity of its Technology Solutions
PHOTO: ADDIVANT
2018 Edition
Global demand for polypropylene compounds is rising
strongly as a result of engineering developments in
automotive and electrical appliances.
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2018
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
The compounding industry is making use of
recycled polymers and that presents challenges.
Mark Holmes discusses recent developments
with some leading providers of additive solutions
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issue. “There are many problems and less die build up. In addition, antioxidant
in the recycling business,” he combinations help to protect the polymer during
says. “The biggest one is processing from further deterioration. Nexamite
probably getting clean material can also form long chain branches improving melt
(mono-material). Post-consumer strength, and finally we can choose a carrier that
material is usually very difficult can further improve properties in the final product.”
to use for this reason. Another Nexam Chemical has recently introduced
problem that is not spoken Nexamite M480502 and M480504, PE0180 and
about so much is product PE0191 – a series of additive masterbatches
liability. Recyclers must guarantee designed for extrusion applications such as film,
the full content of their material.” pipe and profile, as well as blow moulding applica-
Improving processing and final tions. The company has also launched several
CK
O
T
R S product performance of recycled Nexamite masterbatches specifically designed for
TE
UT
: SH polymers remains paramount. “We address polyester industrial applications.
TO
P HO
this with different combinations of Nexamite
Above: Many products and other additives, such as antioxidants Performance tools
additives are and polymer processing aids in multifunctional Nexam says it will continue to create tools for
available to masterbatches,” Öhrn says. “We also combine recyclers to enhance the performance of their
improve the reactive extrusion that improves melt strength and recycled material. “The reference point is the
performance physical performance with additives that further performance of virgin material,” Öhrn says. “In
of recycled PET decrease the need for cleaning and unwanted many cases recyclers are mixing recycled and
compounds production stops. Depending on the challenge the virgin material. In those cases, we want to try to
and alloys converter has processing the recycled plastic create solutions that will enable more recycled
material we have four tools that can be used either material to be used. A more difficult task is to
stand-alone or combined. These tools are highly create compatibilisers that can cope with the many
effective processing aids that help processing the different polymer fractions in recycled material and
plastic so that it flows easier, leaving fewer deposits still enable high property levels.” �
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PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Below: One of China’s National Sword policy, enacted in July this fall into two categories depending on the mono-
the biggest year, has significantly disrupted the recycling mers and the catalyst(s) used to polymerise - addi-
challenges for market, according to Salvatore J Monte, President of tion polymers and condensation polymers. The
recyclers is Kenrich Petrochemicals. “The immediate termina- limitations of the technologies are that thermoplas-
obtaining tion of the daily movement of 4,000 shipping tic copolymers are specific to known streams of
consistent and containers full of recyclables leaving US ports for recycle, maleated polymer often depolymerise
clean material China is simply a phenomenon that would mess up condensation polymers, and organometallic
any free market segment of the economy,” he says. catalysts are expensive and require melt process-
“The many socio-economic and political facets of ing experience,” he says.
recycling limit the current opportunities for addi- Compatibilisation of filler/fibre/polymer inter-
tives for Post-Consumer Recycle (PCR). Collecting, faces, meanwhile, requires coupling agents, such
sorting, cleaning and developing market applica- as silanes, titanates, zirconates, aluminates and
tions for PCR is just too costly for a government zirco-aluminates and calls for an understanding - or
mandate or financial supplementation by compa- at least an awareness – of the technologies to take
nies. However, there are applications to be explored advantage of the possible benefits, according to
in the post-industrial recycle segment because the Monte. “It is important to know these technologies
economics work. For example, at the recent Plastics because the more you compatibilise the less you
Industry Association REFOCUS Sustainability & have to clean and sort allowing for more favourable
Recycling Summit, a session was devoted to economics in producing a functional recycled
additives for upcycling and a focus was put on plastic part,” he says.
upcycling automotive bumpers,” says Monte.
“Modern bumpers are made with thermoplastic New chemistries
olefins, polycarbonates, polyesters, polypropylene, Monte says that additive technology requires
polyurethanes, polyamides, glass fibres, fillers, chemicals and a truly ‘new’ additive requires new
pigments, coatings and additives of all types. Many chemistry, with the associated inventory registration
of these materials are intrinsically incompatible requirements and outside laboratory toxicological
with each other. Recyclers will tell you that more testing. “Ask anybody struggling with the costs of
than 5% PP in HDPE recycle will cause delamination EU REACH registration,” he says. “However, materi-
issues for an injection moulder – or that small als can always be formulated and called ‘new’.”
amounts of fillers will have a significant negative Kenrich Petrochemicals’ solutions are based on
effect on the mechanical properties of a recycled the discoveries of Natta, Ziegler and Kaminsky.
part,” he says. “However, assuming you have a “German Karl Ziegler discovered the first titanium-
recycle source of reasonable quantity and cost and based catalysts and Italian Giulio Natta proposed
a market, the challenge becomes processing and using them to prepare stereo regular polymers from
compatibility of all of the dissimilar materials.” propylene, and they were awarded the Nobel Prize
Monte explains that compatibility can be broken in Chemistry in 1963,” says Monte. “Ziegler showed
down into the polymer/polymer and filler/fibre/ that a combination of TiCl4 and Al(C2H5)2Cl gave
polymer interfaces. Polymer/polymer interface comparable activities for the production of polyeth-
compatibilisers fall into three general categories: ylene. Natta used crystalline α-TiCl3 in combination
thermoplastic copolymers that tie two dissimilar with Al(C2H5)3 to produce the first isotactic polypro-
polymers together; maleated polymers that pylene. Kaminsky discovered that titanocene and
‘couple’ two dissimilar polymers; and organometal- related complexes emulated some aspects of these
lics that catalyse dissimilar polymers of all types Ziegler-Natta catalysts but with low activity. He
and couple fillers in the melt. “Polymers generally subsequently found that high activity could be
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achieved upon activation of these metallocenes close to that achieved using 100% virgin materials.
with methylaluminoxane (MAO). The MAO serves Examples of suitable applications include staple
two roles. Firstly, alkylation of the metallocene and filament fibres; injection moulding; film, sheet,
halide and secondly abstraction of an anionic tape and profile extrusion; bottle blow moulding;
ligand (chloride or methyl) to give an electrophilic and strapping and foamed sheets.
catalyst with a labile coordination site.” ZeMac Extend P also supports sustainability
Ziegler–Natta catalysts have been used in the efforts, enabling low cost post-industrial and
commercial manufacture of various polyolefins post-consumer recycled PET to be utilised, as well
since 1956. Monte says Kenrich uses a neoalkoxy as incorporating glass fibre, minerals and impact
titanate (titanium IV neoalkoxy, tris dioctyl phospha- modifiers. “As varied industries seek technologies to
to-O) in combination with Al2SIO5 mixed metal improve material performance and support sustain-
catalyst in powder and pellet forms for in situ able production processes, ZeMac Extend P offers
macromolecular repolymerisation and copolymeri- an innovative solution for improving intrinsic
sation in the melt – polymer compatibilisation. In viscosity and impact strength while supporting
addition, the neoalkoxy titanate proton coordinates efficient production,” says Prasad Taranekar,
with inorganic fillers and organic particulates to Marketing Manager at Vertellus.
couple/compatibilise the dissimilar interfaces at the The company has also developed new additive
nano-atomic level reducing technology that allows compounders and moulders
Right: ZeMac the need for sorting. to reduce costs and boost sustainability efforts
Link NP, from Monte believes that future while integrating previously incompat-
Vertellus, developments will include the ible materials into their alloys.
allows effective use of recycled plastic compounds ZeMac Link NP is a compatibi-
production of and rubber as functional fillers in concrete liser additive that permits the
polyamide/ and asphalt compositions. A recent study inclusion of polyamide and
polyester [Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 1029; doi:10.3390/ polyester materials – including
blends and app8071029] looked at the effects of titanate recycled and post-consumer polyethyl-
VERTELLUS
alloys coupling agents on the engineering properties of ene terephthalate (r-PET) – in the alloy
asphalt binders and mixtures incorporating production process.
LLDPE-CaCO3 pellets to overcome the Effective at very low levels, ZeMac Link
problem of asphalt rutting. The research- NP is claimed to provide a cost-effective
ers concluded that the coupling agent approach for combining virgin nylon
was used to enhance the crosslinking and r-PET materials. Vertellus says
between materials by means of ZeMac Link NP is well suited for use in a
winding up covalent bonds or mol- range of alloy applications including
ecule chains, improving the perfor- office furniture, fasteners, hand tools,
mance of the composites. The addition of outdoor equipment, textile bobbins and
modifiers and coupling agent significantly im- automotive accessories such as hubcaps. ZeMac
proved the resistance to permanent deformation Link NP allows lower cost post-industrial and
of asphalt binders. post-consumer polyesters to be included in alloy
compounds, supporting sustainability initiatives.
Upgrading polyesters Glass fibre, minerals and impact modifiers may also
Vertellus recently introduced ZeMac Extend P, a be used with ZeMac Link NP.
chain extender additive that facilitates upgrading The company says that as compounders and
of recycled polyesters such as PET for use in a moulders seek to cost-effectively improve material
variety of target applications. The company says performance while boosting sustainable produc-
that ZeMac Extend P increases molecular weight tion processes, ZeMac Link NP provides an
and intrinsic viscosity of both recycled and virgin innovative and cost-effective solution for including
PET. Delivering improved melt viscosity and recycled nylon and r-PET materials with virgin nylon
increasing melt strength, it is claimed to reduce in various alloys.
sagging of the extrudate, resulting in faster
production. It also counteracts hydrolytic degrada- CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION:
tion and improves impact strength. � www.4struktol.com
From a performance perspective, the company � www.nexamchemical.com
says ZeMac Extend P can be used in a broad range � www.4kenrich.com
of target applications and delivers performance � www.vertellus.com
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Blockchain: redefining
industry supply chains
Blockchain – the encrypted ledger technology that of CIOs said their organisation had no interest in Main image:
secures cryptocurrency and potentially a whole raft the technology and/or no plans to investigate or Blockchain
of business transactions – is simultaneously one of develop it. technology
the most hyped and criticised technologies in Two highly reputable organisations and two could reshape
living memory. And it is sometimes hard to sift the detailed, global surveys presenting contradictory supply chains
truth from the fiction. findings published just three months apart. These in industries
Last month, the professional services specialist extremes of claim and counter-claim have typified such as
PwC published global research suggesting that discussions about the technology. However, chemicals and
84% of organisations are experimenting with the Gartner’s latest Hype Cycle report, published at the plastics
technology. 25% of organisations have projects end of August, acknowledged that blockchain is a
that are either live or at the pilot stage, it said, while fast-maturing technology.
32% have projects in development and a further
20% are researching the market. Blockchain explained
However, in May the technology analyst firm Essentially, a blockchain is a distributed ledger. It is
Gartner had published a very different set of a continuously expanding chain of records (blocks)
findings. Its 2018 CIO survey said that only 1% of that are linked and secured via strong cryptogra-
CIOs report live blockchain programmes within phy to create a networked audit trail of transac-
their organisations and just 8% are either planning tions. Because each block, ledger, or record usually
blockchain initiatives or looking at or experiment- contains a cryptographic hash of the preceding
ing with the technology. According to Gartner, 77% one, together with a timestamp and data about the
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
development of to tampering and modification.
smart cities is Typically, blockchains work using the processing
paving the way and mirroring power of distributed/peer-to-peer
for real time computing systems, which is both the technology’s
data collection advantage and, some argue, its inherent problem,
to create because it replaces trust with networked complexity.
permanent and Theoretically, tampering with any one record
inviolable creates a ledger entry that differs to all of the
records verified copies across the network. This is why
blockchain’s proponents believe it could become
the foundation of a new data commons, challenging
the concept of proprietary data and data landlords.
The disadvantage is that this type of distributed
processing is typically slower and more resource
intensive than others. And that means that the cost
of every transaction is higher and uses more energy. property, contracting, legal services, and more.
Most blockchains are either public/permission- And in an increasingly interconnected world of
less – meaning anyone can join or add their process- smart things – from smart, connected cities, trans-
ing power – or private/permissioned. The latter port networks, factories, industrial installations,
demands that someone’s identity can be verified offices, and homes, to smart trucks, shipping
before they are allowed onto the closed system. containers, delivery boxes, and even sensor-filled
Linked with blockchain are the concepts of labels on perishable goods – the idea of an inviola-
digital tokens and cryptocurrencies. Indeed, the ble system of record, together with smart contracts
technology was developed as a decentralised and automated payments, is even more attractive.
computing model to support cryptocurrencies and Blockchain is making its presence felt in all of
verify transactions. On some distributed, block- these areas, because of the Internet of Things (IoT),
chain-supported systems, digital tokens are the same technology, incidentally, driving interest in
Below: exchanged for work/processing and may represent Industry 4.0 manufacturing management systems.
Blockchain an asset of any kind – that could include plastics, Imagine a supply chain for sensitive, fragile, and/or
technology chemicals and compounding or mixing services. perishable goods on which they could be authenti-
provides a cated at source and throughout the chain, shipped
mean to track, The big attraction in ideal conditions, and delivered safely, on time, to
monitor and The concept of an immutable system of record the correct recipient. Each stage of that process
record makes blockchain attractive for many applications could be logged and stored on an immutable
condition of that demand verification and authentication, which ledger, with payments made automatically if and
goods at every is why use cases are fast developing in supply when all conditions are satisfied. That’s the promise
point in the chain management, logistics, transport, manufac- of blockchain in the chemicals sector – and in others
supply chain turing, financial services, publishing, intellectual that face similar challenges.
Blockchain realities
So how does blockchain look in practice? In March
IoT supply chain specialist Brieftrace developed a
blockchain solution to transform the way that
pharmaceutical companies track their assets and
perishable goods, allowing them to ensure that they
are being handled correctly and delivered safely.
The firm teamed up with transport and logistics
company DSV on a pilot programme that deploys
blockchain-connected tracking and sensing devices
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
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Linking to business
This summer, Swiss B2B blockchain company
Above: chain to clear and settle international payments Equidato Technologies announced the launch of its
Blockchain is between banks in “near real-time”, according to SophiaTX blockchain – main net. It is a decentral-
being touted IBM, via a mutually agreed digital currency. Using ised computing system that extends traditional
as a means to the new system, two financial institutions agree to enterprise applications, such as enterprise resource
assess and rank use a digital asset as the bridge between any two planning (ERP), supply chain management (SCM),
logistics fiat currencies. That digital asset facilitates the trade and customer relationship management (CRM),
suppliers and and supplies settlement instructions. into the blockchain environment.
create new Using their own payment system, the first bank The aim of main.net is to use the distributed
on-demand converts the fiat currency into the digital asset. IBM’s ledger and decentralised processing structure of
options World Wire system then simultaneously converts the Graphene blockchain to underpin enterprises’
that digital asset into the second fiat currency, operational and management processes “to ensure
completing the transaction, which is then immuta- maximum transparency, traceability, and trust”,
In the new report from AMI Consulting, you can gain a strong
understanding of the new opportunities available to you such as:
• how developments in mechanical recycling technology are changing
the shape of the plastics recycling industry
• increasing the ability to recover more plastics in a closed-loop, and
helping to retain maximum value
• how to take advantage of this changing and developing industry.
Robust research and expert data for the compounding industry www.ami.international/cons
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2018
Exploring how blockchain technology will transform
the chemicals and plastics supply chain
12-13 December 2018,
Sofitel Kurfürstendamm, Berlin, Germany
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Media supporters
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
is one of the Meanwhile, DB Schenker, the transport and
challenges logistics division of the German railway company
blockchain Deutsche Bahn, has co-developed a decentralised
technology application for supplier evaluation using the
providers and VeChainThor blockchain. Its system aims to rank
users will have and track service providers by such factors as the
to address quality of their packaging, transportation times,
and overall service.
Blockchain could also underpin an entire
integrated transport system in the future without
the need for large, costly, centralised control
mechanisms, according to a UK research paper
from the Transport Systems Catapult (TSC) and the
University of Sheffield.
Counting carbon
Another novel venture, which is being billed as the
“world’s first retail platform that connects consum-
ers to their own carbon footprints” was launched as across the transport industry. The aim is to create “a
a pilot programme in the UK by non-profit organi- minimum viable network” for the technology that
sation the Poseidon Foundation earlier this year. includes car makers such as Ford, GM, Renault, and
The Poseidon retail platform uses blockchain BMW, public transportation and toll road providers,
technology to integrate carbon markets into technology firms such as IBM, blockchain innova-
transactions at the point of sale. Poseidon is tors such as Fetch and the IOTA Foundation,
partnering with ice cream giant Ben & Jerry’s to academic institutions, startups, and regulatory
demonstrate the system at one of its stores in bodies across the globe.
London. The back end of the system runs on the Blockchain challenges do remain in terms of
Stellar blockchain network. complexity, cost, energy usage, and, some argue,
Environmental fintech company Veridium Labs is GDPR compliance. GDPR stipulates that data
also working in the area of carbon offset trading. The should be permanently erased from storage
company is partnering with IBM to transform carbon systems, should that be requested by a data
credits into fungible (exchangeable or interchange- subject. In theory, blockchain makes that impossi-
able) digital assets that can be redeemed or traded ble, although various initiatives claim to work
on Stellar. In this relationship, Stellar acts as the around the problem, as this report explains.
underlying ledger, IBM as the token manager or Taken together, however, it seems clear that the
broker, and Veridium provides the environmental potential that these and other blockchain initiatives
expertise and industry structure. The resulting are demonstrating to transform supply chains for
‘digital environmental assets’ are designed to help fragile or sensitive goods in terms of authentica-
companies and investors purchase carbon credits to tion, transport, contracting, finance and payments
mitigate their own environmental impacts, and/or will see this emerging technology adopted across
hedge against future liabilities. the chemicals sector in the future. And these
Also in the summer, the Mobility Open Block- initiatives are being backed by some trusted
chain Initiative (MOBI) announced its foundation names. Welcome to blockchain!
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Profile: Modern Dispersions Incorporated (MDI) was founded in 1967 in the garage of Janos
Kozma, a Hungarian immigrant to the US. However, it quickly outgrew that location
and, in 1983, finally settled in its current premises in Leominster, MA. Further growth
lead to the opening of a second production site, Modern Dispersions South Inc in
1987 in Fitzgerald, GA. The company now operates 18 productions lines between
the two sites producing both compounds and masterbatch.
Product line: MDI specialises in black masterbatch, concentrates and compounds, producing a
wide variety including UV resistant, high-jetness, high loading, blue-tone and
low-tint performance grades. It offers customisation of products to meet client
specific specifications. The company’s product portfolio also includes colour
concentrates, conductive compounds and wood composites.
Product strengths: MDI produces its black masterbatch from carbon black as well as other pigments,
such as nigrosine dye and bone black, allowing for use in a broader range of
applications and resin systems.
FORTHCOMING FEATURES
October November
Reinforcing additives Carbon black
TiO2/white pigments Bioplastics
Compounds for 3D printers Active packaging additives
Fakuma 2018 preview Continuous and batch mixers
AMI CONFERENCES
19-20 September Wear-Resistant Plastics, Dusseldorf, Germany
For information on all
20-21 September Polymers in Flooring USA, Atlanta, GA, USA
these events and other
27-28 September Compounding World Asia, Bangkok, Thailand conferences on film,
sheet, pipe and
8-9 October Self-Healing Polymers, London, UK
packaging applications, see
9-11 October Polyolefin Additives, Cologne, Germany
www.ami.international
6-7 November Conductive Plastics, Vienna, Austria