MATERIALS
...Continued from front page
with the European chemical regulation REACH, EMPA
and Metadynea report. Foam production with EDA-
DOPO is already underway, generating samples for
‘diverse’ testing, according to the partners. This will enable
the new flame retardant foams to ‘hit the global markets as
quickly as possible’ once REACH certification is obtained,
they say. If the market response is positive, FoamPartner,
which is currently the sole license holder for EDA-DOPO
for PU applications, will then use EDA-DOPO to produce
flame retardant PU foams for upholstery and mattresses.
The partners note that the global market for PU foams is
very large, with almost 20 million tonnes produced annu-
ally, the majority of which needs flame retardant additives.
More information: www.empa.ch
MATERIALS
Ampacet launches SynTear to
further enhance synthetic
paper range
C olour and additive masterbatch producer
Ampacet Corp of Tarrytown, NY, USA, has
extended its Paper 2.0 additive technology range
with the introduction of SynTear™. The new mas-
terbatch enables the production of synthetic tis-
sue that looks, feels and tears like paper, with the
additional advantages of moisture resistance, and
ease of processing, the company reports.
SynTear is recommended for use in combination with
Ampacet’s Paper 2.0 technology [ADPO, July 2016] in
high density, low density and linear low density polyethyl-
ene (HDPE, LDPE and LLDPE) films. However, the new
product can also be used to increase tear properties in virgin
LLDPE and LDPE films, as well as to create ‘a dramati-
cally quieter-sounding tear’ in LLDPE and LDPE films, the
company claims. Films incorporating SynTear can be torn in
either direction, while adjustment of the let-down ratio allows
the tear strength to be tailored to specific applications, it says.
Described as ‘a natural extension’ to SynWrap™ syn-
thetic paper, which Ampacet introduced earlier this year
[ibid., June 2017], SynTear is designed to replace coated
and wax papers in ‘tearable’ applications such as gift and
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Additives for Polymers November 2017
floral wrap, craft applications, butcher and deli wrap, con-
diment and sweetener packets, snack bag pouches, personal
care packets, and concrete bags. The new product is FDA
compliant, the company confirms. As with SynWrap,
SynTear enables extrusion – via blown or cast film pro-
cesses – of single-layer synthetic paper with thickness down
to 0.5 mils (0.0127 mm), Ampacet reports. Compared to
wax paper, SynTear offers outstanding dead-fold properties
and good moisture barrier properties as well as avoiding
the need for secondary lamination, it says. Compared to
conventional coated paper food wraps, the use of SynTear
eliminates greasy, oily stains and there is no migration of
chemicals and waxes into foods, according to the company.
SynTear can be produced in white or kraft (brown) paper
colours for a simple food or floral wrap or it can be extruded
with any colour, effect or texture to create a unique package
design, Ampacet says. To absorb excess humidity, the com-
pany can also incorporate a moisture-absorbing desiccant
into the product or the desiccant can be provided separately.
‘SynTear is a great addition to our Paper 2.0
Technology product line’, comments Doug Brownfield,
Ampacet senior global manager, value chain. For con-
sumer-facing products that are torn, such as deli and food
wraps, and sugar packets, the new product offers ‘superior
performance and the tactile look and feel of paper with a
minimal warehousing footprint’, he adds.
Ampacet has also recently introduced a new additive
masterbatch that has been developed to significantly
improve the scratch resistance of PE and polypropylene
(PP) injected articles and blow-moulded bottles dur-
ing manufacturing, transport and handling, thereby
enhancing their appearance and cleanliness. AntiScratch
1000617-E is reported to provide long-term protection
that lasts throughout the life of the product. According
to the company, it performs well on clear as well as dark
colours where scratches are most visible, and has no
impact on the colour, odour or gloss of the end-product.
By improving the scratch resistance of plastic surfaces,
AntiScratch 1000617-E helps to reduce the rejection of
damaged plastic products.
In addition, Ampacet has developed a new range of master-
batches that are compatible with biodegradable polymers and
comply with the European EN 13432 standard for composta-
ble packaging. Plastic products made using Biorange master-
batches can be mixed with organic wastes and fully composted
in an industrial composting facility, it reports. The company
says that the aim of this development is to help reduce pollu-
tion of the environment from waste plastics.

Ampacet operates 24 manufacturing sites in 17 coun-
tries throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe, and
employs more than 2000 people. The company claims to
offer the broadest range of custom colour, black, white,
special effect and speciality additive masterbatches for
flexible and rigid extrusion processes and applications.
More information: www.ampacet.com
BASF develops global UV
mapping tool with space agencies
A partnership between BASF, the German
Aerospace Centre (DLR) and NASA Goddard
Space Flight Center in the USA has developed a
new tool to help maximize the service life of plas-
tic products by precisely matching the dosage lev-
els of light stabilizers to the predicted intensity of
UV radiation in different parts of the world. The
tool is based on an extensive set of maps show-
ing global UV radiation levels created by scien-
tists at the two space agencies.
In market sectors such as agriculture, automotive and
building & construction, exposure to solar UV radiation
is a major contributor in the premature degradation of
plastic products. Light stabilizers such as those produced
by BASF can counter these damaging UV effects when
properly designed into the formulation. However, to
optimize this protective effect it is essential to predict
the expected UV radiation exposure for an application’s
intended location and designed lifetime, the company
explains. Small changes in geographical position can make
a significant difference to the level of UV radiation expe-
rienced and, consequently, to the aging performance of
plastic objects in outdoor applications, BASF points out.
The scientists at DLR and NASA Goddard have used
satellite and ground station measurements to create a
dynamic UV radiation specific modelling tool, which
enables them to calculate how much solar UV radiation
reaches the Earth’s surface in a given region. The radiation
level is influenced not only by the geographical location
but also by the terrain type, season and time of day. Taking
all these aspects into account, alongside meteorological
factors such as the distribution of clouds and atmospheric
ozone, aids more accurate determination of the local UV
intensity and UV radiation flux density, BASF reports.
The new UV mapping tool is accurate globally down to
November 2017 Additives for Polymers
MATERIALS
city level, ‘revealing previously unknown microclimates of
elevated UV radiation’, the company says. BASF currently
has exclusive access to DLR’s full global mapping database.
According to Dr Volker Bach, head of BASF’s Global
Competence Center Plastics Additives, the new mapping
tool enables the company to ‘improve the predicted life
span of plastics in a given environment, and reduce the
risk of failure due to climate conditions’. The information
concerning the distribution and level of UV radiation
is taken into consideration by BASF when recommend-
ing a light stabilizer and the appropriate loading level to
customers; is also important for the development of new
plastic additives, Bach says.
More information:
www.basf.com or www.plasticadditives.basf.com
Axel Plastics presents new
mould release for bottle caps
C onnecticut-based Axel Plastics Research
Laboratories, Inc, a manufacturer of mould
releases and processing aids, has launched a new
mould release specifically designed to reduce fric-
tion and improve torque release in bottle caps
and closures. The company recommends INT-
33CFW for use in caps and closures made with
high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropyl-
ene (PP), but says it may also be suitable for use
in other thermoplastic resins requiring compliance
with relevant US Food and Drug Administration
regulations for food containers.
According to Axel, studies have shown that the use
of INT-33CFW yields significant improvements in
resin flow and in torque release properties/friction.
Furthermore, it does not cause discoloration or affect the
odour, the company reports. The new internal mould
release is described as a synergistic blend of modified
polymers, organic fatty amides and waxes. It is available
either as a 100% active powder or in pellet form.
INT-33CFW is compliant with the FDA’s regulation for
closures with sealing gaskets for food containers (21 CFR
177.1210), Axel reports. Targeted applications for the new
additive include bottle caps, closures, lids and other food
industry containers where a reduction in torque is desirable.
The company also recently celebrated the official opening
of its new manufacturing facility in Monroe, CT, USA. The
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