Struktol focuses on additives for recycled plastics in Orlando

Struktol Company of America, a leading global supplier of polymer additives, is expanding its line of additives for reuse/recycled plastics and for polymer compounds that contain recycled content. The company will highlight these products at NPE2018: The Plastics Show May 7-11 in Orlando, Fla.

STRUKTOL^® products are useful in a variety of different resin systems from polyolefins to engineered plastics, offering greater processing efficiency and enhanced performance. They are targeted at compounds containing 100% recycled material or materials with varying levels of post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content.

For engineering plastics, Struktol offers multiple products that combine a compatibilizer with lubricants to create a combination product that aids in the incorporation of fillers (mineral or glass) with improved mixing and flow properties as well as mold release. These products result in better processing, improved surface quality, and in some cases, better physical properties.

Among these products, STRUKTOL^® TR 229 is for use in both polycarbonate (PC) and PC/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) blends as well as nylon 6 and 6,6 compounds. It can be used in FDA-approved applications and is also ideal for use in recycled applications. Struktol also offers STRUKTOL^® TR 219 for use in nylon 6 and 6,6 compounds. It has been found to be effective in polyester (PET and PBT) compounds, especially in recycled or recyclate-containing applications or in cases where the polyester compound is contaminated with other plastics.

Struktol also announced additions to its line of additives for recycled polypropylene. STRUKTOL^® RP 23 is a new, multi-functional package that incorporates vis-breaking technology with lubricant and mold release functionality. It provides for significant viscosity reduction at low loading levels. The lubricant base provides improved processing characteristics in compounding and extrusion, as well as increased mold flow and metal release for the molder. This product expands the current line of products that includes RP 11 and RP 38. STRUKTOL^® RP 38 is designed to provide unmatched viscosity modification and lubrication in recycled PP compounds and resins that contain moderate to high levels of polyethylene contamination. This unique technology, when used at loading levels as low as 0.2%, result in increased melt flow and allow for significant improvements in mold filling and release. Processors using RP 38 will benefit from its versatility; allowing wider application of regrind or recycled feed streams without sacrificing certain properties or performance. This series of products can be tailor-made to fit the requirements of the recycle compounder, resulting in a unique additive designed to fit the application.

STRUKTOL^® TR 251 is a combination product that includes both surfactant and lubricant technology for enhanced functionality over other single-component lubricants in both polyolefins and engineered plastics. STRUKTOL^® TR 251 has proven to be very effective in improving mold flow of recycled compounds without significantly changing the melt flow rate.  Processors realize better flow in thinwall products and better mold filling along with significantly improved release characteristics. Because this additive provides increased flow without vis-breaking, compounds made with it typically have better, more controlled physical properties.

STRUKTOL^® TR 052 is a compatibilizer and blending aid that is highly beneficial for incorporation of regrind/recycled product in a wide range of polymers. Processors can realize improved physical properties and overall improved processability of compounds requiring some level of recycled content. TR 052 has been shown to significantly improve the processability and performance of mixed recycled streams used when separation of the resins is not done prior. The additive compatibilizes dissimilar polymer systems allowing for expanded use of these mixed recycled streams.

About Struktol Company of America
Struktol Company of America is a member of the Schill & Seilacher family of companies, with representation in over 100 countries around the world. A global organization with over a century of specialty chemical expertise, their polymer processing products are marketed under the brand name STRUKTOL^® - chemicals and functional processing additives for the rubber and plastic industries including WPC, polyolefin, PVC, and engineering plastics.