Extrusion International USA 1-2021

29 Extrusion International 1/2021 rials required for product performance. LyondellBasell part- nered with Colas Solutions, the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT), and Barrett Paving Materials Inc., to bring the project to life. Colas Solutions is Colas USA technical center, part of the Co- las Group, a worldwide leader in transportation infrastruc- ture construction and maintenance. Colas Solutions Cincin- nati location and its long experience in the formulation and production of asphalt mixtures modi fi ed with rPE using the dry process, provided the opportunity of collaborating with NCAT on this project. Colas Solutions identi fi ed an rPE sup- plier, Domino Plastics; formulated an rPE modi fi ed asphalt mixture based on advanced performance testing methods and coordinated production and paving with sister company Barrett Paving. PLASTICS has long been involved in efforts to further ad- vance traditional mechanical recycling, bioplastics, and re- sponsible stewardship such as the New EndMarket Opportu- nities (NEMO) for Film Asphalt Project, NEMO for End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Recycling Project, Operation Clean Sweep (OCS), and more. Teknor Apex Company www.teknorapex.com/weatherguard-pvc-compounds-and-alloys Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) www.plasticsindustry.org/supply-chain/recycling-sustainability/ new-end-market-opportunities-nemo LyondellBasell www.LyondellBasell.com Weatherable Capstocks for WPC Decking The Weatherguard WG-9015 LG grade contributes to cost containment because it is designed to be used as a 50% con- centrate in a blend with a fractional-melt index polyethylene. While ionomer resin is often used as an ingredient in cap- stocks to increase scratch resistance, the WG-9015 LG grade, when used as a 50% concentrate with polyethylene, provides greater scratch resistance in comparison with a similar com- pound containing 20% ionomer, while avoiding the need for this expensive polymer. Made froma blend of wood fl our and polyole fi n plastics, WPC decking is increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional treatedwood because of its superior appearance, lower main- tenance, and longer lifespan, noted John Macaluso, Industry Manager, Building and Construction, for the Vinyl Division of Teknor Apex. The newWG-9000 Series compounds add to an already exten- sive series of capstock compounds in the Weatherguard prod- uct line, including formulations for use with PVC substrates in decking, railings, fencing, siding, windows, and doors, plus other capstock products for polyole fi n substrates used in the WPC deck market. Teknor Apex supplies these products on a custom basis, with formulations tailored to customer require- ments for color, gloss level, and many other properties. „ New highly weatherable compounds for the outer or “cap” layers of dark-color wood/plastic composite (WPC) decking provide greater durability and scratch-resistance than widely used competing compounds, while helping manufacturers to contain costs, it was announced by Teknor Apex Company. After 5,000 hours in QUV® accelerated weathering tests, Weatherguard® WG-9000 Series polyole fi n-based capstock compounds exhibited a color change of less than 0.5 Delta E for dark brown. They offer fi ve- to tenfold improvements in elongation and impact strength in comparison with a stan- dard competing compound, while sacri fi cing only 15% in ten- sile strength. Parking lot at LyondellBasell’s Cincinnati Technology Center using recycled polyethylene (rPE)