Additives
Polystyrene Blown Film Starts to Get Some Respect
It has kept a low profile for the last 40 years, but more blown-film processors are starting to take a look at PS for breathable packaging and cellophane replacements. A couple of dozen processors worldwide have kept this technology quietly to themselves—but not for much longer.
Read MoreExtrusion News at NPE 2000
At this year’s NPE, new processes to put wood flour into plastic were virtually everywhere—several even start with undried flour.
Read MoreCompounding
Compounding news at NPE included a wealth of new batch and continuous machines to mix in high loadings of wood flour, glass fiber, carbon black, and more exotic fillers. One new batch mixer can melt blend wood-flour compounds without the need for an extruder or continuous mixer. A number of new pelletizers were also introduced.
Read MoreGet a Stake in PVC Fencing
PVC fence markets are posting rapid gains, prompting profile extruders to install new machines by the dozens and convert existing plants from pipe and siding production. New players are jumping in, too including makers of wood-filled composites.
Read MoreGet the Right Additives for mLLDPE Film
Since the advent of metallocene-catalyzed plastomer and LLDPE film resins, improving processability while retaining their inherently high physical and optical properties has been an industry target.
Read MoreNPE Newsfinder: Chemicals & Additives
Lots of new additive and color concentrates will be displayed at NPE 2000. There will also be new pigments, including some for laser marking. Several new processing aids and modifiers for thermoplastics and thermosets are slated to debut. Also look for new mold releases and a purging agent for optical disc resins. Interesting new fillers include a new electroconductive wollastonite and high-impact wollastonite grades for automotive applications.
Read MoreNew Additives & Resins Debut at SPE Polyolefins RETEC
Several new developments in additives and polymers were unveiled at SPE's Polyolefins 2000 RETEC conference, held in Houston last month.
Read MoreBoron Nitride Looks Promising As A Polyolefin Processing Aid
Boron nitride may well become the next processing aid of choice for polyolefin extrusion, blow molding and blown film.
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