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Articles reporting on plastic products are prepared from information furnished by members of the IAPD and non-member magazine advertisers. The information provided is deemed reliable but is not verified. It should not be assumed that the publisher has reviewed or tested any of the products. For more information, contact companies by visiting their websites.
Renewable PVDF from Arkema
Renewable PVDF from Arkema
Arkema has launched sustainable Kynar® PVDF grades. These new grades will claim 100 percent renewable attributed carbon derived from crude tall oil bio-feedstock. Kynar CTO PVDF grades using the mass balance approach under the ISCC+ certification process will first be produced in Arkema’s Pierre-Bénite plant in France for European customers, focusing initially on grades used in the lithium-ion battery market.

This patent-pending technology allows a climate change impact reduction of almost 20 percent of the Kynar PVDF binder (expressed in kg eq. CO2/kg, according to the ISO 14040 standard) while reducing dependence on upstream crude oil consumption. The crude tall oil used in upstream feedstock production is a residue of the Kraft process of wood pulp manufacturing. The new Kynar CTO grades are certified to be compliant with responsible forestry standards. They do not result in deforestation and there is no direct competition with food crops.

“Arkema has been a leader in advanced bio-circular polymers for many years,” stated Anthony Bonnet, global R&D director for fluoropolymers. “Now, we are taking a huge step forward to make fluoropolymer grades using bio-sourced carbon only. It’s a remarkable innovation that we proudly share with our customers across the world. There is a real demand for more sustainable solutions and we are happy to play a leading role.”

In a second phase, the production of these sustainable PVDF grades will be extended to each of Arkema’s global PVDF manufacturing sites and will be made available to all traditional PVDF markets and applications.

In addition, Arkema announced a project in the United States to produce PVDF grades using fluorine derived as a byproduct from the agrochemical industry, thus requiring no dedicated fluorspar mining. These grades are expected to be commercialized by mid-2022.

Kynar CTO grades will be offered as functionally identical alternatives to Arkema’s flagship binder grades, Kynar HSV900 and Kynar HSV1810. www.arkema.com.

Spartech Earns NSF International Certification for Polycast FDA Cast Acrylic Sheet
Spartech has earned certification to the standard NSF/ANSI 51, Food Equipment Materials, for its Polycast FDA Cell Cast Acrylic Sheet from global public health organization NSF International. NSF International standards are the benchmarks by which all commercial foodservice equipment products are measured. Certification signifies that these products have been reviewed, tested and certified by an independent third-party organization and that they meet all applicable North American regulatory sanitation requirements.

To earn certification to NSF/ANSI 51, Spartech’s Polycast FDA Cell Cast Acrylic Sheet was subject to a review, an evaluation and, where applicable, testing process to verify compliance as stated in the NSF International standard. Certification by NSF International also included an audit of Spartech’s manufacturing facility to verify compliance and that the product is made using Good Manufacturing Practices. Certified colors include clear, white, green, red and blue.

NSF International food equipment standards include requirements for material safety to ensure the product will not leach harmful chemicals into food; design and construction, to ensure the product is cleanable and is not likely to harbor bacteria; and product performance. Spartech’s Polycast FDA Cell Cast Acrylic Sheet (and related marketing materials) can now bear the NSF/ANSI sanitation mark and is listed in the online database of NSF International certified products.

“Our sheet is used in the food and beverage industries to manufacture products such as food and beverage dispensers which have product contact. Spartech is pleased that we were able to receive this certification so that our customers have the confidence in knowing their devices will be considered safe when serving food and beverages to customers,” said Robert Pinto, quality/technical service, Spartech.

”We welcome Spartech on board and are happy that it has chosen to certify its Polycast FDA Cell Cast Acrylic Sheet to the NSF International sanitation standards. We are sure this independent demonstration of the quality of this product and its compliance with public health requirements will support the value of Spartech’s brand,” said NSF International Global Business Lead: Equipment and Chemicals–Food Safety Division Orsi Dezsi. www.spartech.com.

Ensinger enhances in-house polymer powder production
Ensinger is expanding its manufacturing capacities for composites with the addition of a polymer pulverizer machine at the Cham, Vietnam site. The thermoplastic polymers that can be pulverized on the machine includes engineering plastics such as PP, PA6 and PC, as well as high-performance plastics such as PPS, PEI and PEEK. The tightly toleranced pulverized polymer materials fulfill the tough requirements and high demands of advanced thermoplastic composites.

The company’s composites division is now a “one stop shop” for a wide range of products and services relating to thermoplastic composite materials. The portfolio includes powders, semi-pregs, pre-pregs, organo-sheets, compression-molded composite plates and finished parts, as well as customer development projects which are achieved using diverse material combinations.

“Purchasing the new machine is a logical step that makes Ensinger a complete solution provider in the area of thermoplastic composites,” said Daniel Grauer, who is responsible for international business development in the Composites division. “By extending the value-added chain, we are strengthening our position and can fulfill our customers’ requirements, both technical and commercial.” www.ensingerplastics.com.

Specialty light-diffusing material from Rowmark LLC
Rowmark LD’s high impact modified acrylic formulation
Rowmark LD’s high impact modified acrylic formulation provides durability and toughness with long-lasting ultraviolet (UV) resistance. This material can be used for interior and exterior signage. Rowmark LD is suitable for applications such as back-lighting, blankout signs, channel letters, light diffusers and architectural lighting. As a custom extruder, Rowmark manufactures custom sizes and colors to meet their customers’ needs.

Rowmark LD features:

  • High light diffusion eliminates “hot spots” and amplifies light intensity
  • Diffused panel provides power to hide LED light source
  • High impact resistance and long-lasting UV protection
  • If desired, an additional laminated interior film can be applied to easily create reverse engraved text or logos

Rowmark LD is available in white, bright white, tinted smoke (pictured) and custom colors in widths up to 54″ and thicknesses up to 0.187″. www.rowmark.com.

Lubrizol division verified by vinyl sustainability initiative
Lubrizol Advanced Materials’ TempRite® Engineered Polymers business has met all the sustainability requirements of +Vantage Vinyl™, an industry-wide sustainability initiative that engages companies across the entire U.S. vinyl value chain. Companies that showcase the +Vantage Vinyl mark have undergone third-party verification to confirm they have met all sustainability activities and key performance indicators required of the initiative. The initiative’s structure ensures that TempRite® Engineered Polymers is advancing the sustainability journey of the vinyl industry in alignment with targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

“Lubrizol’s TempRite business is excited to achieve this important sustainability certification,” said Michael Fornes, TempRite global director of business development and sustainability. “Not only does it align with our company mission to help the world move cleaner, create smarter and live better, but it also emphasizes our deep commitment to sustainability and the additional value it brings to our FlowGuard®, BlazeMaster® and Corzan® CPVC brands.”

+Vantage Vinyl is a sustainability initiative of the Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC), a self-funded business council advancing sustainability in the vinyl industry. It is the only sustainability initiative that allows participation from all companies within the entire vinyl value chain with U.S. operations, ranging from raw material manufacturers and suppliers to final product manufacturers and retailers.

“Congratulations to TempRite Engineered Polymers for their commitment to sustainable business practices as represented in their verification of meeting the requirements of +Vantage Vinyl,” said Jay Thomas, VSC executive director. “Continuous improvement in the sustainability of our value chain is a critical initiative of the vinyl industry. By verifying through +Vantage Vinyl, Lubrizol Advance Materials’ TempRite Engineered Polymers has demonstrated its leadership in advancing the sustainability of its company and the entire industry. We look forward to our continued collaboration and partnership in the +Vantage Vinyl program.” www.lubrizol.com.

Braskem’s carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene for 3D printing launches in the Ultimaker Marketplace
Braskem announced that its carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) filament (“CF-PP”) (“FL900PP-CF”) for 3D printing and additive manufacturing is now available in the Ultimaker Marketplace. Key attributes of the material include:

  • 100 percent recycled carbon fiber content
  • High stiffness and strength — six times stronger than traditional PP filaments
  • Optimized for high resolution printing
  • Lightweight/low density
  • Excellent chemical resistance
  • Low shrinkage/warpage
  • Highly water resistant — does not absorb moisture, no drying needed

Braskem Commercial Director of Additive Manufacturing Jason Vagnozzi stated, “We are excited to have Braskem’s carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene filament featured in the Ultimaker Marketplace. This is a testament to the innovation, exceptional product attributes and high quality of our polypropylene for additive manufacturing. Whether you are a start-up, university, equipment manufacturer, converter, compounder or brand owner, Braskem’s carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene filament is breaking new ground in terms of pushing the boundaries of 3D printing design and engineering possibilities.”

Braskem’s carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene filament spools are designed to be used for industrial as well as personal 3D printing applications making them suitable for rapid prototyping, custom product design, lightweighting, optimizing geometries and designing spare parts. Braskem’s carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene filaments are available in 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm diameters to fit a wide range of 3D printer applications.
www.braskem.com.

Opalescent acrylic sheet with 90 percent light transmission from Trinseo
Trinseo announced the launch of ALTUGLAS Opalescent HLT, its new opalescent acrylic sheet with 90 percent light transmission. This material addresses a need from designers and the architectural and construction industries for an acrylic glass that offers an aesthetically pleasing opalescent quality along with high light transmission (HLT).

“Designers continue to replace traditional materials with acrylic glass for its many benefits and are constantly looking for new properties that allow them to stand out in their designs,” said Michel Brendel, vice president PMMA EMEA and global methacrylics, Trinseo. “With ALTUGLAS Opalescent HLT we offer balanced properties to achieve optimal diffused aesthetics while maximizing light transmission.” Generally, when diffusivity increases, light transmission decreases. With ALTUGLAS Opalescent HLT, this is not the case. The product provides a premium, milky or cloudy appearance, as well as exceptional lighting efficiency with both cost and sustainability benefits, such as recyclability and durability.

Other features include:

  • High diffusion, to conceal the light source and prevent hot spots
  • LEDs can be placed up to the edge of an application
  • Light source (LED) color is transmissible through the material
  • Material available with neutral, milky appearance, maintaining its true color without a light source

ALTUGLAS Opalescent HLT sheet can be used for signage, decorative lighting, privacy screens and illuminated panels and can be made in range of thicknesses from 3 mm to 30 mm based on application requirements. Custom colors are also available and can be specially formulated by the company’s color specialists. www.trinseo.com.