January I994 Additives _ for Polymers

Wilson 2, Zoning de la Fagne, B-5330 Assesse-Belgium. Tel: +32-83-66021 I. Fax: i-32-83-660360.

Impact modifiers for PVC

Metablen C-320 from Elf Atochem has good impact strength and high clarity. It can be used for most clear bottle, film and sheet applications. The very low level of impurities in this new grade ensures improved properties of end products. It is highly suited for PVC food and medicine packaging applications, as well as for PVC mineral water bottles. Metablen C-320 is a methacrylate butadiene styrene terpolymer manufactured in Europe by Metablen Co BV, a joint venture between Elf Atochem and Mitsubishi Rayon Co Ltd.

Also from Elf Atochem is a new grade of Durastrength PVC impact modifier. Compared with the standard 200 grade, Durastrength 200L weatherable impact modifier offers lower reversion, optimized surface finish and higher impact strength for window profile applications. The standard 200 grade produces excellent initial and long- term impact, superior weathering and unsurpassed processability. In addition to these qualities Durastrength 200L offers the following advantages: outstanding weatherability and colour retention; excellent low temperature impact; high efficiency, and also reduces or eliminates processing aids. It is used in low temperature impact and outdoor weathering resistant applications, such as window profiles and cladding, and is also an impact modifier for pipe, conduit and injection moulding compounds. Contact: Elf Atochem UK Ltd, Colthrop Way, Thatcham, Newbury, Berkshire, KCilj 4L W, UK. Tel: +44-635-87oooO. Fax: +44- 635-870050.

Expandable microspheres

Expancel, the expandable microsphere from Nobel Industries in Sweden comprises a drop of liquid isobutane encapsulated within a

gasproof polymeric shell. When exposed to heat it will expand to more than 60 times its initial volume. Density drops from 1.2 g/cc to less than O.O3g/cc. Unexpanded microspheres, Expancel WU or DU (Wet or Dry Unexpanded), are being used as blowing agents, whereas pre-expanded microspheres Expancel WE or DE (Wet or Dry Expanded) are being used as resilient light weight fillers. Contact: Nobel Industries, Box 13oo0, S-850, I3 Jundsvall, Sweden. Tel: +46-60-l 3-4ooO. Fax: -I- 46-60-56-9518.

Polymer-bound blowing agent dispersions

Schering Polymer Additives in the UK has launched a range of five high quality polymer-bound blowing agent dispersions for the expansion of rubber and cross-linked polyoletin foams. The chemical blowing agents are pre-dispersed in an EP rubber carrier to enable a more uniform dispersion to be achieved during processing. This is said to lead to significant reductions in the mixing cycle, an increase in production output and considerable cost savings. The Genitron Polymer Dispersions can be used in natural and synthetic rubbers, as well as cross-linked polyoletin foams, at expansion temperatures of 140-230°C depending upon the product. Contact: Schering Polymer Additives, Gorsey Lane, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 OHE, UK. Tel: + 44-51-495-1989. Fax: + 44-51-495-2003.

Blowing agent masterbatches

Further information is now available on the range of blowing agent masterbatches marketed by Schering in the UK (as reported in the December 1993 issue of “Additives for Polymers”). Genitron DL is a completely dispersible and fully activated blowing agent system for the high speed or low temperature expansion of PVC plastisols. It does not require the use of additional kickers or dispersion aids and is specially manufactured to give a more efficient blowing agent decomposition. This product will also

01994 Elsevier Science Ltd

Additives for Palmers January 1994

produce whiter foams than conventional azodicarbonamide expansion systems. Genitron AC4L is a non-dusty powder form of Genitron AC4 blowing agent for the expansion of PVC plastisols. It combines the high performance and quality of a Genitron blowing agent with greatly reduced dustiness to improve its handling ch~acteristics. The product can also directly replace equivalent blowing agent powders on a weight-for- weight basis in most applications. Contact: Schering Polymer Additives, Gorsey Lane, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 OHE, UK. Tel: +44-51-495-1989. Fax: +44-51-495-2003.

Nucleati~g/clarifying agent for po~y~fopy~ene

Millad 3988 from Milliken Chemical in the USA is a sorbitol-based product which is said to overcome certain limitations of previous generation clarifying agents with respect to transparency, organoleptics, processability and nucleation capability. Millad 3988 is claimed to offer superior aesthetics - better clarity, gloss and surface smoothness than current cl~i~cation technologies. In addition, Millad 3988 can be used in virtually any fabrication process without temperature limitations or plate-out problems experienced with previous generation clarifying agents. Its taste and odour transfer performance are said to make it suitable for food or odour sensitive applications, whilst its superior nucleation capability enhances physical properties and allows for faster processing. Contact: ~ill~ken Chemical, 920 ~illiken Roe, PO Box ~927~-4~, Spartan~urg, SC 29304, USA. Tel +1-803-573-22&I. Fax: + l-803-573-2430.

MARKETS

Economics of titanium 1993

World demand for titanium dioxide is estimated to have fallen by 8% in 1991

following growth averaging 5% per annum in the late 1980s. A report by Roskill Information Services in the UK, The Economics of Titanium 1993, says that growth is estimated to have resumed at a much lower rate in 1992 and 1993 and in the long-term is expected to be between 2% and 3% per ~num worldwide. Roskill forecasts that consumption will return to its 1989 level of 3.1 million tonnes in 1994 and will rise by a further 100,000 tonnes to 3.25 million tonnes in 1995. The main area of potential growth in TiO, demand is provided by the plastics industry, currently accounting for 16% of demand: growth is estimated at 5% per annum or more in the medium-to-long term.

TiO, producers have responded to the slow growth in the market by concentrating on product development and added value. The report points to ultrafine TiO, pigments as one area which has attracted company investment despite the relatively small potential in terms of tonnage. The major producers have also introduced more versatile product ranges and established service and distribution networks.

The Economics of Titanium 1993 contains 638 pages and is illustrated with tables and figures throughout. It is available at a price of f890 (US $1960) from: Roskill Information Services Ltd, 2 Clapham Road, London, SW9 OJA, UK. Tel: +44-71-582-5155. Fax: +44- 71-793-0008.

PATENTS

Stabilizers

JO523205 1

(EUROPEAN)

Hindered amine light stabilizers Furukawa Electric Co Ltd Priority Date: 25 February 1992 A method of measuring the concentration of HALS in ~ermoplastics.

4 O1994 Elsevier Science Ltd