POLICY AND PERSPECTIVES, PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Techmer PM | February 14, 2023
Techmer PM, a Clinton-based compounder and materials design expert, has developed a solution to the recycled PET (rPET) shortage. This new concentrate, known as HiTerra™ rPET Revive, rebuilds the polymer chains of the resin, therefore boosting its viscosity and decreasing the consequent yellowness of rPET.
To meet their publicly declared environmental objectives, brand owners are dedicated to growing their usage of recycled plastics but face more than simply technical obstacles. These obstacles include the limited availability and added expense of high-quality recycled PET.
PET thermally degrades when it is continuously reprocessed, and because of various heat histories, this results in yellowing and viscosity breakdown, thereby restricting the use of such materials. HiTerra™ rPET Revive aims to alleviate the strain at the molecular level.
Techmer PM’s Market Manager for Rigid Packaging, Steve Smith, stated, “rPET Revive can allow for a higher regrind/recycle rate and improve productivity.” Adding to this, he said, “We selected the active ingredient to be compatible with PET resins used in fiber and molding applications. Converters can use it in the production of thermoformed sheets, and the product is showing good potential for use in bottles, as well.”
(Source – GlobeNewswire)
About Techmer PM
Techmer PM, LLC, was founded in 1981 as a materials design firm specializing in changing and fine-tuning the characteristics of technical polymers. The firm thrives on collaboration and partnerships with plastics processors, specifiers, fabricators, designers, and brand owners. It assists manufacturers in various end-use sectors in enhancing product functionality and aesthetics by using various resins, ranging from polyolefins to PEEK. The award-winning company has six sites in North America. It has experience in practically every plastics and fiber-related process, including additive manufacturing, injection molding, blown film, and sheet extrusion. Plastics News has included Techmer PM six times since 2014 on its "Best Places to Work" list.
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CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
Clariter | February 02, 2023
A global cleantech company, Clariter and TotalEnergies’ division, TotalEnergies Fluids, recently announced its world's first sustainable ultra-pure solvent made from plastic waste.
Ultra-pure solvents are utilized in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other markets in high demand that require safe, odorless, colorless, and tasteless products that meet the criteria of the highest pharmacopeia-standard purity. In addition, the solvents made from plastic waste help reduce their environmental footprint and contribute towards the end-of-life plastics challenge.
Clariter and TotalEnergies Fluids worked together for 18 months on joint research and development, which led to this technological and business success. Clariter uses its own innovative upcycling technology to turn plastic waste into high-quality solvents, waxes, and oils that can be used more than once. Using its Hydro-De-Aromatization (HDA) technology, TotalEnergies Fluids further transforms the upcycled materials into high-purity solvents that meet the quality levels required by the most stringent applications.
This revolutionary innovation shows the commitment of the two partners to develop high-quality, low-carbon footprint products and contribute to the circular economy's development.
Dr. Daria Frączak, Clariter's Scientific Director, said, "Developing products of such high quality from plastic waste is a triumph for our joint R&D work." She also said, "Clariter's know-how and experience in plastic upcycling, together with TotalEnergies Fluids' deep knowledge of stringent industry requirements, came together to develop a process to produce sustainable solvents that meet the highest purity standards. We are thrilled to have achieved this significant milestone in our journey towards bringing to industry sustainable, high-quality products made from plastic waste".
(Source: Cision)
About Clariter
Clariter was established in 2003 and is a global cleantech company providing innovative solutions that upcycles plastic waste. Oils, waxes, and solvents are converted from plastic waste using this efficient, patented technology, which can then be used in place of their fossil fuel counterparts. The combination of Clariter's commercial appeal and its eco-friendliness is unbeatable. By creating green jobs and bolstering local communities, the company aids its partners in achieving sustainability goals and decreasing their reliance on crude oil.
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CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT
Ingevity | March 15, 2023
On March 14, 2023, Ingevity Corporation announced that it will participate at the European Coatings Show 2023 in Nuremberg, Germany, to showcase its Capa® caprolactone high-performance polyol technology as well as the company's expanded vegetable oil-based products that can be used to improve coating formulations.
The engineered polymers team at Ingevity will display the versatility of Capa polyols for both waterborne and high-solid coating applications. Amanda Tosh, who works at Ingevity as a coatings application manager, will present a study about the benefits of using polycaprolactone-based polyols in 2K polyurethane coatings. The study oversees how Capa polyols can be used to make more durable and sustainable coatings for longer.
Steve Hulme, Senior Vice President, Performance Chemicals and President, Engineered Polymers at Ingevity, said, "The versatility and durability of Capa polyols make them an ideal choice for a number of high-performance polyurethane coating applications." He also mentioned, "We look forward to discussing the benefits of Capa, including showcasing the sustainability benefits of our biodegradable Capa thermoplastic product range, and its application for the paper coatings industry."
(Source – Business Wire)
The industrial specialties team at Ingevity will display its vegetable oil-based products, such as the recently launched low-color vegetable oil-based fatty acid, AltaVeg FA 120, that is suitable for use in coatings and other applications.
"We are excited to launch our low-color AltaVeg FA 120," said Rich White, Senior Vice President, Performance Chemicals and President of Industrial Specialties and Pavement Technologies at Ingevity. "Ingevity's ability to offer vegetable oil-based fatty acid products provides additional options for customers needing stronger, more durable alkyd coatings that maintain high gloss."
(Source – Business Wire)
About Ingevity
Headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, Ingevity is a leading provider of products and technologies that protect, purify, and enhance the world. With the help of a team of experienced and intelligent people, the company develops, manufactures, and provides solutions that assist customers in solving challenging problems and making the world a better place to live.
Ingevity operates in two reporting segments: Performance Chemicals which includes engineered polymers and specialty chemicals, and Performance Materials, which includes high-performance activated carbon. These products are used in a wide range of demanding applications, such as adhesives, asphalt paving, elastomers, bioplastics, agrochemicals, coatings, publication inks, lubricants, pavement markings, oil exploration and production.
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