November 2011 Additives for Polymers5

indices, while maintaining acceptable physical properties and processing latitude, Momentive says.

Niax Color Stabilizer CS-26LF is an ‘excellent colour stabilizer’ to consider for flame and heat lamination of poly-ether foams. According to the company, its typical benefits include enhanced bonding strength and improved indirect light stability for polyether and polyester foams. Polyester-based microcellular foam formulations can be improved through the use of non-hydrolysable silicone surfactant Niax Silicone L-1507. This cell-regulating surfactant can provide fine cell structure and improve dimensional stability by allowing for internal cell opening, Momentive reports.

Niax Silicone L-3627 and L-3637 are both low-emission silicone surfactants. L-3627 is said to be an excellent can-didate to consider for use in MDI and MDI/TDI blended, high resilience moulded PU foam; it can be used as a sole silicone surfactant to provide an optimum cell opening and stabilization. L-3637 can be considered for use as a co-surfactant for formulations containing natural-based polyols, according to Momentive. It can help to provide excellent stabilization when natural-based polyol is being incorporated, the company says. And Niax Property Modifier PM-1 is a new additive to consider for improving wet set property and lower force-to-crush.

Finally, Niax Silicone L-5466 is a non-hydrolysable sili-cone copolymer and ‘a strong candidate’ to consider for use in resin-side addition in the manufacture of rigid PU foams, Momentive says. It can reportedly reduce surface voids in continuous and discontinuous applications and deliver very good polyol compatibility.

According to Lanchak, the company remains ‘as com-mitted as ever’ to collaborating with the industry and its customers on important new technologies, and being first to market with solutions that address both production and end-user needs.

Contact:Momentive Performance Materials Inc, Albany, NY, USA.

Tel: +1 607 786 8131, Web: www.momentive.com

New Enzymoplast masterbatch accelerates biodegradation of plastics

A new bacteria/enzyme-based biodegrada-tion technology developed by UK-based

Enzymoplast Technology Ltd is being introduced into the UK market. The Enzymoplast™ mas-terbatch is the result of seven years’ research to develop a bacteria/enzyme-based additive that promotes a chemical reaction within poly-ethylene (PE) to accelerate the process of bio-degradation, the company says. The product is available exclusively via plastics raw material distributor Plastribution Ltd.

The Enzymoplast technology has the ability to utilize PE as a carbon source for micro-organisms to enable conversion of the polymer molecule quickly and safely into carbon dioxide, biomass and water, reports Narinder Bharj, sales and marketing director at Enzymoplast Technology. Microbial breakdown is initiated at carbonyl groups, which are introduced into PE during the photo-thermal biodegradation process, Bharj explains.

The formulation of the substrate used in the Enzymoplast masterbatch consists of 13 ingredients, including the enzyme, vegetable proteins, citric acid and the bacteria compound, which are drawn primarily from sustainably sourced natural resources and medicinal plants, the company says. This renders both the process meth-odology and technology non-hazardous and non-toxic, it claims. The product has been tested and certified as compliant with the required European Union directive (94/62/EC). The masterbatch utilizes a linear low density PE carrier (95%). It is 100% biodegradable and composts leaving no toxic waste and adheres to biodegradability and compostability standards EN13432 and ISO14855.

The Enzymoplast masterbatch can be used with LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE in applications such as refuse sacks, carrier bags, film, plastics bottles and general packaging. Products containing the biodegradation agent exhibit the same mechanical and optical properties as those without the additive, Enzymoplast Technology says. According to the company, Enzymoplast products are ‘many times less expensive’ than other biodegradation products, making them ‘a commercially viable option that has so far not been available’.

Contact: Enzymoplast Technology Ltd, 57 Abbotts Lane, Kenley, CR8 5JG,

UK. Tel: +44 7531099924, Web: www.enzymoplast.com

Or contact: Plastribution Ltd, Magdellan House, 1 Compass

Point Business Pk, Stocks Bridge Way, St Ives, PE27 5JL, UK.

Tel: +44 1480 308500, Fax: +44 1480 497685,

Web: www.plastribution.co.uk

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