2Additives for Polymers December 2007

MATERIALS

Chemtura offers ‘greener’ phosphite stabilizer

Chemtura Corp, headquartered in Middlebury, CT, USA, launched a cost-effective, ‘greener’

alternative to industry-standard secondary anti-oxidant tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite (TNPP) at K 2007. Weston® NPF 705 phosphite stabilizer is 100% nonylphenol-free and can not break down to form nonylphenol, the firm says. The use of nonylphenol and its derivatives is in the process of being phased out in the European Union and a number of other countries as they are persistent in the environment and suspected of being endocrine disrupters.

According to Chemtura, Weston NPF 705 is a drop-in, liquid replacement for TNPP, which is commonly used in LLDPE, HDPE, PVC and SBR. Developed as DVS 005, the new patent-pending antioxidant is targeted for use in consumer and industrial packaging – including food packaging, household goods and tyres, among other applications. Chemtura is seeking global food contact approvals.

Weston NPF 705 is one of Chemtura’s ‘Greener is Better’ additives. These new or improved products are all said to achieve the company’s goal of providing customers with sustainable additive solutions. Each product has been screened to make sure that it offers a ‘greener’ profile than the product it is intended to replace. The criteria are performance without compromise,proven cost effectiveness, plus a strong environmental and human health profile, Chemtura says. The range includes the company’s organic-based, heavy-metal-free Mark® OBS® heat stabilizers for flexible PVC (see e.g., ADPO, February 2005], Firemaster® 600 and 602 flame retardants for polyurethane foam [ibid, August 2006], and the Polybond® range of coupling and lubrication agents for wood–plastic composites such as Polybond 3029 [ibid, February 2005], which has recently been reformulated so that it is 50% more efficient than previously, according to Chemtura.

• In other news from Chemtura’s Polymer Additives segment, James Nicol has been appointed VP, glo-bal building & construction industries, while Diana

Peninger becomes VP, global consumer industry. Both report directly to group president Anne Noonan. In his new role, Nicol has global responsibility for sustainable, profitable growth of the company’s heat stabilizers, flame retardants, antioxidants and polymer modifiers for building & construction applications. He previously served as Chemtura’s business director for performance brominated flame retardants. Peninger, formerly Chemtura’s global business director, PVC additives, is responsible for the new consumer products sector, which includes all additives for film and packaging, textiles, automotive components and other consumer markets. She leads the business’s strategy development, marketing and technology development.

Contact:Chemtura Corp, Middlebury, CT, USA. Tel: +1 203 573 2220, Web: www.chemtura.com

Sanitized antimicrobial additive for PVC plastisols combines two actives

Antimicrobial specialist Sanitized AG of Burgdorf, Switzerland, has developed

Sanitized® PL 25-33 to protect PVC plastisols against mould-fungi attacks. Such attacks can affect both the functionality and aesthetics of PVC-coated textiles for outdoor use. The new additive was presented at the recent K 2007 show.

Sanitized PL 25-33 is arsenic-free and based on an innovative combination of two proven and tested active ingredients, both of which are understood to comply with the European Biocide Regulations, the company says. The two actives synergistically support each other, thereby providing durable and dependable protection for tarpaulins in a so-far unattainable spectrum against mould-fungi, according to Sanitized. PVC outdoor tarpaulins used in applications such as a canopies and boat covers must withstand years of climatic exposure.

The antimicrobial additive is able to protect not only the PVC but also the textile carrier, even though it is worked solely into the PVC. This dual advantage does not generate additional costs for the otherwise required supplementary textile treatment, the company says. Customers who have trialled the new product confirm

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