ExxonMobil Chemical is trialing Baerlocher’s RST in a new, higher-performing HDPE resin that will allow converters to incorporate increased amounts of recycled plastic
Düsseldorf, Germany – October 16, 2019 – Baerlocher, a leading global supplier of plastics additives, is playing a key role in expanding the use of recycled plastic to support global sustainability trends toward increasingly stricter regulatory requirements, growing consumer concerns for safety and the environment and new corporate mandates. Baerlocher’s proprietary Resin Stabilization Technology (RST), featured here at K 2019 (Hall 5, Stand A21), can help resolve quality and consistency issues arising from the use of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled plastic content. For example, BAEROPOL® RST can improve oxidation induction time (OIT) – a measure of degradation – beyond that of traditional stabilizers, as well as color stability. The company is working with resin producer ExxonMobil Chemical, packaging manufacturer KNF FLEXPAK, recycling technology company APK AG and recycling machinery supplier EREMA on various projects using RST that promote the circular economy for plastics.
“Baerlocher is helping drive a broad effort to recycle plastic waste into new and different applications,” said Andreas Holzner, Global Head of Business Unit Special Additives, Baerlocher. “Our resin stabilization technology can help increase the amount of recycled content in film and other products without compromising quality, performance or aesthetics.”
Staying Ahead of Sustainability Trends
The plastics industry is looking for innovative solutions that can help address demands from regulators to incorporate greater amounts of recycled material. The push for more recycled content is also coming from corporations that aim to improve their sustainability posture, and growing societal concerns about the potential impact of plastic waste on the environment. These factors are creating opportunities for the use of recycled plastic or alternative materials in a growing number of existing and new applications.
The following initiatives focus on increasing the use of recycled plastic by boosting its quality and consistency using Baerlocher technology.
• ExxonMobil Chemical: Improving OIT and color stability of HDPE
ExxonMobil Chemical is working on a new grade of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin for extrusion blow molding and thermoforming bottles and containers that will allow converters to add a high percentage of post-consumer recycled material. The company plans to use Baerlocher RST stabilizers to create a resin with potentially superior properties that would enable converters to add 50 percent or more recycled content. Although trials have not yet begun, the company indicated Baerlocher’s data on improvements in OIT are promising.
“The synergies provided by the additives in Baerlocher’s RST can boost OIT to prevent embrittlement over time and extend packaging shelf life, while also improving color stability to retain consumer appeal,” said Mark Canright, product development team leader, ExxonMobil Chemical. “Another benefit of Baerlocher’s RST solution is its high performance at lower loadings, which supports sustainability by minimizing the use of chemicals. We have also worked with Baerlocher previously on a variety of projects which have demonstrated the company’s responsiveness and reliability, so we are pleased to be collaborating with them again on the development of this new resin.”
• KNF FLEXPAK: Running 100 percent recycled film
KNF FLEXPAK, a custom packaging manufacturer, sought to increase the use of post-industrial waste from film production. To overcome film degradation caused by the high-shear stress conditions of blown film recycling, KNF FLEXPAK added Baerlocher’s BAEROPOL® T-Blend stabilization additive to the formulation. The company can now run film made with 100 percent post-industrial recycled polyethylene (PE) film scrap, helping to improve sustainability and reduce costs.
• APK and EREMA: Upcycling resin to produce LDPE for film applications
Recycling post-consumer film requires melt filtration to remove contaminants, which involves subjecting the material to high temperatures. To make the recycled product useful for new blown film applications, it must be stabilized during melt filtration. At K 2019, APK, a plastics processor, and EREMA, a recycling equipment manufacturer, join Baerlocher at the EREMA “Circonomic Centre” (FG 09.1) to showcase how adding BAEROPOL® T-Blend stabilizer to low-value consumer film waste on the EREMA INTAREMA® TVEplus® film recycling line can upcycle this material into a product suitable for film blowing.
About Baerlocher:
The Baerlocher Group is a leading manufacturer of additives for the plastics industry. Its portfolio includes a broad range of stabilizers and other additives suitable for a variety of polymer and non-polymer applications.
Baerlocher has a strong focus on customer and employee needs and is highly committed to innovation and sustainability. Its pioneering and proactive role is underlined by the support provided to the PVC industry during the transition from lead- to calcium-based stabilizers and by its innovative lubricant systems for wood plastic composites.
Baerlocher embraces the principles of responsible care. It operates an ISO 9001 certified quality management system and an environmental management system compliant with ISO 14001. Baerlocher plays a positive role in both the business community and society as a whole. This includes work within industry associations, and the provision of training opportunities in a variety of disciplines.
The Baerlocher Group has production plants around the globe and operates a sales network serving all major countries.
BAEROPAN, BAEROSTAB, BAEROPOL, BAEROLUB and BAEROCID are registered trademarks of Baerlocher.
For more information, please visit www.baerlocher.com.
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