Extrusion International 2-2024-USA

37 Extrusion International 3/2022 New Plasticizer-Free Long-Chain Polyamides to Compete with PA12 at NPE 2024 Nylon Corporation of America (NYCOA), a leading custom manufacturer of engineered nylon resins, has announced the launch of NXTamid L, a proprietary long-chain polyamide as a replacement for PA11 and PA12 in various applications. The company will high- light their new plasticizer-free and sustainable mate- rial at NPE 2024. NYCOA has collaborated with some of the largest end users of long-chain polyamide resins to develop an alternate solution which offers several advantages over the traditionally imported resins. Over the de- cades, OEMs and processors have been forced to rely on imports from Europe and Asia which not only carry costly tariffs but have also been affected by shortages and supply chain disruptions. Depending on the application, NXTamid L delivers performance that is equivalent or better than tradi- tional PA12 and PA11 resins, while also offering a broad range of customization options. The material has a higher service temperature than PA12 while of- fering a great degree of flexibility and chemical re- sistance. It is also more sustainable with some grades having bio content exceeding 50% of the material composition. “Our customers approached us looking for alter- nate solutions every time there was a shortage or sup- ply disruption of long-chain polyamides in the North American market,” said Bill Baker, Vice President of Sales for NYCOA. “We’ve responded to our customers’ needs and that of the market with an innovative solu- tion that is not only a performance equivalent but also versatile and sustainable. Domestic OEMs and proces- sors can now be assured of stable supply to meet their production needs for various transportation, sporting goods, and industrial applications.” The biggest advantage of NXTamid L is that cus- tomers have an option to go completely plasticizer- free without compromising on mechanical prop- erties. Plasticizers such as BBSA (N-Butyl Benzene Sulfonamide) are widely used by resin manufacturers and compounders to influence properties of base ny- lon resins to make them softer. The plasticizers being of lower molecular weight tend to migrate out dur- ing compounding/processing and well beyond during their service life especially at higher temper- atures. This migration causes a change in the material’s mechanical behavior as the plasticizer migrates out of the polymer, making it stiffer and also causing premature wear of seals and gaskets in the tubing industry. Additionally, the plasticizer itself has raised envi- ronmental and health concerns. NXTamid L offers a plasticizer-free solution resulting in better long-term stability compared to other plasticized long-chain polyamides. NYCOA has received strong traction from multiple customers looking for next-generation plasticizer-free alternates, according to Baker. Plasti- cizer- free NXTamid L grades are already being sup- plied to multiple customers in commercial quantities. Some of the other benefits of NXTamid L are higher melting temperatures, lower moisture absorption, and better dimensional stability than PA12 and PA11. The material’s dimensional stability is another impor- tant characteristic that differentiates it from short- chain nylons such as PA6 and PA66. It has excellent chemical resistance to various alcohols, industrial chemicals, and zinc chloride, making it ideal for the transportation and tubing markets. NYCOA’s NXTamid L portfolio consists of grades designed and optimized for various applications and processing technologies such as injection molding, extrusion, rotomolding, and blow molding. NYCOA also notes significant environmental ben- efits of sourcing material locally in North America. Studies have indicated that resin produced domesti- cally can help save a significant amount of shipping related carbon emissions over those materials pro- duced and shipped by sea from Europe and Asia. Nylon Corporation of America, Inc. www.nycoa.com NPE2024: Booth #S34115