April 2013 Additives for Polymers3

a number of key benefits for formulators, including faster and more stable processing of composites; easy process-ability of adhesives; better and more durable colours in coatings and paints; and better printing properties in paper. ‘As experts in styrene maleic anhydride copolymers and their chemistry, Polyscope is always ready to apply its in-depth know-how; by working in close collabora-tion with our clients, we are able to customize our Xiran portfolio to fully meet their needs’, comments Patrick Muezers, managing director at Polyscope.

Xiran copolymers with a low molecular weight are a suitable choice in many applications where solutions with higher solids, lower viscosities, and excellent wetting and dispersion properties are required, Polyscope believes. Current and new applications that will benefit from these two new Xiran grades include, amongst others, fillers, crosslinkers, tackifier and pigment dispersions, formalde-hyde-free binders, superplasticizers for concrete, adhesion promoters and matting agents, among others, it says. In composites, Xiran SZ25010 and Xiran SZ40005 are in particular reported to enhance crosslinking, and to provide an alternative to formaldehyde crosslinking systems to improve adhesion between surfaces with different polari-ties. They can also be used as wax emulsions to improve hydrophobicity of substrates.

Contact: Polyscope Polymers BV, Geleen, The Netherlands.

Tel: +31 46 750 0010, Web: www.polyscope.eu

Assessment of Paxymer flame retardant confirms ‘green’ credentials

In Sweden, Paxymer AB’s patented halogen- and antimony-free flame retardant for polyolefins

has received a favourable environmental assess-ment from Jegrelius – the Institute for Applied Green Chemistry. Jegrelius’ report addresses the chemical risks, environmental impact and life cycle, and ‘strongly recommends’ the Paxymer® product as a ‘green’ solution.

The stated aim of the Jegrelius assessment process is to critically examine and investigate products from ‘a holis-tic risk perspective’, and assess each product’s place ‘in a sustainable society’. The chemical assessment it performed

on the Paxymer flame retardant shows that the formula ‘does not include any substances that could generate any risks for the environment or for the human health’, it says. According to the published environmental assess-ment (which is available at Paxymer’s website), the assessed chemicals in the Paxymer formula are ‘much closer to sustainability compared to the market-dominating groups of brominated and organophosphorus flame retardants’, which both include ‘a range of persistent, bioaccumulat-ing and CMR compounds’, it says. The Jegrelius Institute report also addresses other flame retardant solutions and finds that – in its view – out of more than 70 different brominated flame retardants ‘none could be used in a sustainable society’. ‘Our conclusion is that the product Paxymer is an environmentally sound and recommended substitute to brominated and organophosphorus flame retardants. Paxymer has a good environmental perfor-mance from all three assessed perspectives: chemical, sus-tainability and life cycle’, states Jegrelius in its report.

The Paxymer flame retardant is reported to preserve the mechanical properties of the base polymer and produce very low smoke emission. It is also non-dripping and does not generate soot, Paxymer asserts. Grades for extrusion, injection moulding and blow moulding are available, and can be provided in masterbatch or compounded form, according to customer requirements, it says.

The Paxymer system was developed in collaboration with sister company PP Polymer AB. PP Polymer is an independent consulting, research and development company working with polymeric materials and surface coatings. It was established in 1985 by Dr Swaraj Paul. Paxymer AB was founded as a separate entity in 2009 and is focused on sales, production and customer sup-port of the flame retardant system.

Contact: Paxymer AB, Box 191, 16212 Vällingby, Sweden.

Tel: +46 8 44 55 300, Fax: +46 8 44 55 309,

Email: amit.paul@paxymer.se, Web: www.paxymer.se

Consortium makes recycling breakthrough with new black colorants for plastics

A consortium comprising Linpac, Nextek, Sharpak and Faerch Plast, working

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