Extrusion International 6-2024-USA

40 Extrusion International 6/2024 FAKUMA 2024 ter droplets from depositing on the inner walls of pack- aging. Additives for absorbing and eliminating oxygen from the headspace of packaging, UV protection addi- tives and – especially for milk containers – ultra-light- proof white masterbatch help to extend product shelf life. Acetaldehyde scavengers prevent changes in the flavour of water in rPET bottles. Processing aid additives prevent electrostatic charg- ing or change the surface properties of PET to prevent blocking and reduce the coefficient of friction. Special IR absorbers facilitate thermoforming with uneven wall thicknesses without impairing clarity. Additives are used to improve the properties and quality of rPET by linking shortened PET polymer chains and thus increasing the molecular weight. Compatibil- isers enable the recycling of PET-PCR blends that are contaminated with polyolefins or barrier plastics such as PA and EVOH. An NIR-reflective black masterbatch facilitates sorting during recycling. FR8719PP is an innovative, halogen-free flame retar - dant (HFFR) from Tosaf for PP pipes or moulded parts that are used, for example, for laying and fixing cable conduits and for conducting liquid media. Even in low concentrations, it makes it easy to comply with strict fire protection criteria and thus enables a switch to a more sustainable solution without the products losing any of their flame retardancy and properties. Processing ad - vantages are the good dispersing behaviour in the melt and the very low formation of dye build-up during extru- sion. If halogen-free is not a priority, brominated flame retardants such as FR6413PE and chlorinated, low-cost grades such as FR0049PE from Tosaf offer high thermal stability and fire protection without compromising the product properties. Tosaf's PFAS-free processing aids for the extrusion of polyolefins can be used without restriction instead of conventional formulations for film production. They meet the FDA and EFSA food contact requirements and, depending on the grade, are optimised in terms of ei- ther their rheological or their optical properties such as light transmission, haze and clarity. The unproblematic behaviour of PFAS-free monomaterial PE films in recy - cling is an advantage. With PPAX, Tosaf Color Service has developed a new colour masterbatch carrier system that is based on the high-performance plastic PPA (polyphthalamide) and is combined with specially selected pigments that allow high processing temperatures. This makes it possible to produce products made with it in brilliant and varied colours without reducing the high heat resistance, very good strength, stiffness and toughness, low moisture absorption and high chemical resistance. It can also be used to laser mark coloured parts. Tosaf is leading the way on the ‘green path’. It quanti- fies and reports on its carbon footprint down to product level, utilises solar energy and offers a portfolio of prod- ucts based on renewable sources or recyclate. Thus, the company is already prepared for a further tightening of regulations. At the same time, Tosaf is fulfilling its cus - tomers' desire to maintain relationships with environ- mentally conscious partners. The company has already undergone global validation for the ISO 14064 standard for quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas emissions in 2021. This now covers the entire life cycle of a product and does not end at the factory gate. Tosaf calculates its carbon footprint for the production facilities as a whole as well as for the products themselves and makes the re- sults available to customers on request to calculate their own sustainability figures. Tosaf is also continuously expanding its portfolio of sustainable solutions. Options include bio-based con- centrates that use coffee grounds and eggshells as fillers, polymers from renewable sources and recycled polymers. These are supported by a collaboration with recycling plants for various polyolefins and polystyrene. Tosaf Compounds Ltd. www.tosaf.com Additives from Tosaf help to give containers made from virgin PET and rPET the best possible properties in terms of aesthetics and functionality (© shutterstock/Dan Kosmayer)