Extrusion International 1-2024-USA

27 Extrusion International 3/2022 Effective Solution for the Replacement of PTFE in Flame Retardancy Presented Tolsa, a leading supplier of flame-retardant synergists and specialized additives for thewire and cable, construc- tion, railway, transportation, and electronics industries, is offering its ADINS ® Clay range of flame-retardant addi - tives as a viable replacement for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as an anti-drippingmechanism for polymer formu- lations. ADINS ® Clay products meet increasingly stringent regulations as well as environmental, health and safety standards that are directly influencing the demand for alternative and safe materials. ADINS ® products meet the growing demand for syn- ergists, optimizing not only the consumption of con- ventional flame retardants, but also providing and en - hancing desired properties and functionalities such as anti-dripping, char promotion, significant reduction of smoke and heat generation, among others. ADINS® technology allows the development of customized grades that guarantee compliance with specific client and industry requirements. “Our unique FR technology continues to evolve, and we see continuing growth for ADINS synergistic addi- tives in a wide range of systems that require the highest standards of flame retardancy,” said Marta Sacristán, Functional Additives Product Manager for Tolsa. “Our materials are highly versatile and can be fine-tuned to meet the high-performance needs of formulators and end users.” In halogen and halogen-free formulations (HFFR), the use of drip suppressants or anti-dripping agents is needed. A commonly used drip suppressant is poly (tetrafluoro - ethylene (PTFE) which forms a network structure through shearing-induced fibrillation to effectively reduce drip - ping. In dosages of 0.5wt% in the whole FR system, PTFE improves FR performance to V0 rating in the UL94 test. However, these is controversy regarding the health risks of this so-called PFAS class of “Forever Chemicals” which includes PTFE. There are health concerns surrounding the surfactants that are used to make PTFE. ADINS ® Clay series products are magnesium silicates modified in their surfacewith organic compounds to ease dispersion in polymeric matrices. The needle-like struc- ture reinforces the consistency of the char, improving its properties and its gas barrier capabilities. This enhanced char decreases heat release and flame propagation, and 2023 Industry Recap Released PLASTICS has released “The U.S. Plastics Industry in 2023 in Seven Charts,” a recap of the plastics in- dustry 2023 economic performance, authored by Chief Economist, Dr. Perc Pineda. Dr. Pineda writes, “Assessing the plastics industry landscape in 2023 reveals a year marked with nuanced shifts across various sectors. From the fluctuations in production levels and shipments to the intricate inter- play between labor constraints and export dynamics, the plastics indus- try encountered challenges and op- portunities.” To read the full report: https://www.plasticsindustry.org/ blog/the-u-s-plastics-industry-in-2023- in-seven-charts Analysis Released: Fed’s Response and Household-Led Growth The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released an official analysis of the decision by the Fed- eral Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve to maintain the Fed funds, authored by PLASTICS Chief Economist, Dr. Perc Pineda. Dr. Pineda writes, “The recent de- cision by the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve to maintain the Fed funds rate at 5.25% to 5.50% reflects the current economic landscape where infla - tionary pressures have alleviated, particularly against the backdrop of a robust labor market. Notably, November saw headline consumer inflation at 3.1% and core infla - tion at 4.0%, marking a decline from their peaks of 8.9% and 6.6% in June 2022 and September 2022, respectively. Additionally, headline producer-price inflation dropped to under 1.0% in November, primarily attributed to reduced energy prices and trade dynamics, while core pro- ducer-price inflation stood at 2.5. The prevailing high-interest rates are unlikely to uphold the 2023 eco- nomic growth rate in 2024.” To read the full analysis on the PLASTICS blog page: www.plasticsindustry.org/blog/ economic-landscape-feds-response-and- household-led-growth/ Dr. Perc Pineda