Page 66 - Plastics News April 2024

PRODUCT NEWS

Nucleating Masterbatches

improve the crystallization properties terbatches are typically added to plas-
of thermoplastics. They contain a high tics during the compounding process,
concentration of nucleating agents, which involves melting the plastic
which are materials that promote the resin and mixing it with the additives.
formation of small, well-organized The resulting mixture can then be ex-
crystals within the plastic matrix. The truded, molded, or processed in oth-
addition of nucleating additive master- er ways to create the final product.
batches to plastics can provide a num- Overall, nucleating additive master-
ber of benefits, including increased batches are an important tool for im-
stiffness, improved dimensional stabil- proving the performance and proper-
ity, enhanced transparency, and faster ties of plastic materials, and they are
processing times. They are commonly widely used in a variety of industries,
andui has developed Nucleating used in the production of products including packaging, automotive, and
Kmasterbatches, a kind of addi- such as injection-molded parts, films, consumer goods.
tive masterbatch which are used to and fibers. Nucleating additive mas-

New, affordable PHA-based compounds available for compostable

film packaging

in 2022 and has since been working an outstanding balance between stiff-
with different partners to create solu- ness, strength, tear, and puncture re-
tions using its PHA technology. sistance, ensuring durability in various
These new compounds are a blend packaging applications. The opaque
of NatureWorks’ Ingeo PLA and CA1240PF compound is currently
CJ’s Phact PHA, providing consider- undergoing tests for home composta-
able performance and environmental bility, in line with consumers’ growing
benefits and offering brand owners demand for environmentally friendly
a 100% biobased, industrially com- packaging solutions.
postable, competitively priced alter- The introduction of CA1270P and
native to traditional plastic films. “CA1240PF represents a major
Phact CA1270P (clear) and Phact milestone in CJ Biomaterials' ongoing
CA1240PF (opaque) can be used for commitment to sustainable innova-
various applications, including food tion,” said Max Senechal, CCO at CJ
packaging, produce bags, compost Biomaterials.
bags, bin liners (for organic waste These biobased films offer a com-
artnership CJ Materials and Na-
PtureWorks yields versatile solu- management), shopping bags, shrink “pelling combination of perfor-
wrap, and labels. Both have carbon mance, versatility, and environmental
tions footprints more than 50% lower than responsibility, reducing the world’s
PHA manufacturer CJ Biomaterials, those of low-density polyethylene and reliance on traditional plastic while
a division of South Korea-based CJ linear-low-density polyethylene, poly- supporting the transition to a more
CheilJedang, has launched two new ethylene, polypropylene, and poly- sustainable future.”
PHA-based compounds developed ethylene terephthalate (LDPE/PE/PP/ CJ Materials is exhibiting at NPE2024,
for blown, cast, and machine direc- PET) solutions traditionally used in booth S28193 (South Hall, Level 1,
tion orientation (MDO) film applica- packaging. and Science Material Zone).
tions. The company began producing Tests revealed both compounds have
its Phact-branded PHA biopolymers Source: Sustainable Plastics

68 PLASTICS NEWS April 2024