TAGS: Bio-based Solutions Processing Aids Lubricants / Waxes
Recent global shortages in feedstocks have focused many plastic processing aid wax producers on developing new bio-based products.
Processing aid waxes are integral to plastics compounding where they provide improved flow, gloss, and additive dispersion.
Historically there has been a broad range of processing aid waxes based on fossil fuel materials. As a rule, fossil fuel base oils are key to low molecular weight waxes, whereas lignite coal is critical to higher performing montan waxes.
So, with the market pushing towards the bio-based additives,
let's take a look at the recent advances in processing aids additives...
Völpker’s Processing Aid Waxes
Völpker’s Processing Aid Waxes - Integral to Plastics Compounding
Germany’s Völpker is one of the global leaders in manufacturing traditional wax processing aids for plastics processing. Völpker has commercialized a
renewable plant-based, organic ester, CEVO-process J-4418.
It acts simultaneously as an excellent polymer flow improver, release agent for molds, and additive/pigment
disperser for masterbatch color compounding as well as glass fiber and talc-based compounded systems.
They are used extensively in thermoplastics such as:
Wax 4418 is also useful with thermosets like epoxy, phenolic, and polyurethane.
Wax 4418 is DIN CERTCO certified as bio-based, and further meets the criteria for inherent biodegradability (OECD Guideline 301 D, Closed Bottle Test).
Clariant’s Licocare RBW Wax from Rice Grain Feedstock
Clariant has commercialized wax additives based on a value-added, renewable content, rice grain feedstock. Their Licocare® RBW waxes for plastics compounding namely,
Licocare® RBW 300 powder TP and
Licocare® RBW 102 powder TP are targeted at electrical and electronic and automotive end-use applications where engineering thermoplastics and thermoset epoxies predominate.
These bio-based waxes are non-food competing as they are made from the non-edible component of the rice bran oil. They are highly
effective bio-based processing aid replacements for traditional fossil fuel-based montan waxes. As internal and external lubricants they aid in homogenous color pigment and filler dispersion in compounding, mold release due to their:
- Improved melt flows
- Higher temperature plastics processing stability
- Enhanced mechanical toughness, and
- Improved manufactured part surface finish
Clariant’s Licocare RBW Wax from Rice Grain Feedstock
Renewable content is a key driver in the global plastics industry. There is a current business environment composed of more:
- Environmentally conscious consumers
- Climate change advocates
- Socially focused government regulations, and
- Business sponsored renewability targets
Stated simply, eco-friendliness will remain an ongoing future trend for plastics suppliers, manufacturers, and end-users.
Clariant’s Licocare® RBW Renewably Based Rice Grain Feedstock
Emery Oleochemicals’ Bio-based Processing Aids
Emery Oleochemicals’ Loxiol® G 24 is both an external lubricant and release agent plastics processing aid that is based on 100% renewable resources. Also, it is effective in replacing more traditional, fossil fuel-based waxes.
Application development wise Loxiol® G 24 is well suited for the extrusion of:
It is stable over a wide temperature range, has low volatility, and in combination with a traditional
Loxiol® G 59 processing aid is compatible with calcium zinc stabilizers as an internal/external lubricant system.
C-PVC Pipe (L), PVC Window Profile (R) Target Applications for Emery Bio-based Loxiol® G 24 Processing Aids
Commercially Available Plastics Processing Aids