Extrusion International 2-2020

34 Extrusion International 2/2020 ADDITIVE BLENDS FOR PLASTICS RECYCLING Blend+ GmbH Kreuzauer Str. 46, 52355 Düren, Germany www.blendplus.de Mitsui & Co. Deutschland GmbH www.mitsui.com/de Highest Performance of Recycled Plastics Mitsui Deutschland uses its extensive knowledge of additive chemistry and applications to provide customized additive blends used in the production of polymer materials from recycled plastics. The new blends, which may contain more than five components, are specifically adjusted to the indi- vidual requirements specified by the ordering plastics recycler. For these customers, not only the formulation of the blends counts. Easy handling and processing are just as important for them, as is a high repeatability of production, in other words, the assur- ance that each delivery features ex- actly the same blend composition. To meet the growing demands of their customers, Mitsui Deutschland and Blend+ have joined forces to de- velop high-grade additive blends for recycled polyolefins. Under the agree- ment, Blend+ and Mitsui Deutschland will collaborate to provide custom- ers with customized blends in conve- nient formats (powder, pellets, etc.) requested and needed by the com- pounders tomeet the specific require- ments of the recycling market. Blend+ supplies the blends in the forms of pellets, agglomerates or powder, depending on the specifics of the application. The additives are manufactured at the Blend+ facilities in Düren, near Cologne, Germany. The unique design of the production lines enables the company to produce blends of most complex formulations and specialty blends, in virtually any batch size. With its most advanced production lines, which are one-of-a- kind in the plastics processing indus- try, and its ultra-precise, process-con- trolled ingredients weighing process, Blend+ assures highest repeatability of its production. Dr. Achim Roth, General Manager at Mitsui Deutschland, explains why the two companies have entered into this agreement: “Mitsui Deutschland develops specific concepts for the stabilization of polyolefins and their recyclates. We decided to cooperate with Blend+ because the company has both: excellent process know- how and the plant technology that we need to produce our high-grade multi-component additive blends. We are sure that we will constantly re- ceive the same excellent quality from Blend+ because we know how accu- rately and reliably the company con- trols the processes at its production facility.“ Joachim Bayer, Manager Sales of Blend+, sees significant growth po- tential for blends in the recycling mar- ket: “The leading trade fair for the plastics industry “K” has clearly shown that plastics recycling is continuously growing in importance. The devel- opment of customized formulations and blends is driven by the fact that the quality of sourced raw materials for the production of recyclates varies tremendously from customer to cus- tomer. Here is where the know-how of Mitsui Deutschland and Blend+ come together ideally.” At its Düren, Germany, facilities, Blend+ operates hot-compaction production lines. Compaction takes place at processing temperatures of up to 160°C Blend+GmbHundMitsui &Co. DeutschlandGmbHhave entered into an agreement about the joint development of additive blends that will enhance the performance of recycled polyolefins andmake them suitable for higher-grade applications. Under this partnership, Blend+will develop process technology for the optimal mixing of customized additive blends, of more than five ingredients inmost cases, and produces and ships the blends in the product form that best meets the compounders’ requirements in each individual case