Page 44 - Plastics News - January 2024

FEATURE

Highly Effective Additive Combination For Biodegradable Plastics

tested, GENIOPLAST acts as a boost-
er and enhances the effects achieved
with the VINNEX additive which
had been previously added. In sev-
eral cases, the silicone additive also
improves properties that VINNEX
has no influence on. It is the addi-
tion of GENIOPLAST for instance,
that reduces surface friction, thus in-
creasing the bioplastics’ scratch and
abrasion resistance. This was veri-
fied by examination of the depth and
roughness of scratches with a confo-
cal microscope. The unique additive
combination furthermore improves
the mecha- nical properties of the
ACKER, the Munich-based thermo- plastics, they are difficult to
Wchemical group, is showcasing process and require suitable addi- final good. Used together, VINNEX
two products for processing biode- tives to achieve the property profile and GENIOPLAST boost the flexibil-
ity and impact strength of bioplastics
gradable plastics at the Compound- customary of thermoplastics. The
ing World Expo 2021: its VINNEX additives examined were VINNEX and, in filled systems, increase elonga-
tion at break without impairing ther-
additive system based on polyvinyl- 2504, VINNEX 2525, GENIOPLAST
acetate technol- ogy and its silicone- Pellet S and GENIOPLAST Pellet P mostability. Plastics modified in this
way are thus suitable for applications
based performance additive GENIO- plus. The key finding of the screen-
PLAST for many thermoplastics. Both ing is the observation that VINNEX previously reserved for conventional
thermoplastics. When added in the
additives enhance the process- ing and GENIOPLAST complement each
and material properties of bioplastics. other in their effects – in both filled usual amounts and depending on the
individual system, VINNE and GENI-
VINNEX furthermore ensures hassle- and unfilled bioplastic systems. When
free mixing of different biopolyesters used together, the processing and OPLAST additives do not hamper the
degradability of biopolyesters such
and fillers. Latest tests show that performance properties of bioplas-
the two additives can also be read- tics can be optimally adapted to the as polybutylene succinate, polylac-
tid acid or thermoplastic starch and
ily combined. The benefits here are specific requirements. But there is
optimally adjusted processing and also another advantage: both addi- combinations of these biodegradable
polymers.
product properties and even higher tives are more effective when they
effectiveness. WACKER will present are used in combination than when VINNEX and GENIOPLAST Pellet
the test findings for the first time at they are used separately. Depending VINNEX
the Compounding World Expo 2021, on the grade used, VINNEX either additives were specifically devel-
which runs from September 29 to 30 has a particularly positive influence on
in Essen, Germany. the polymer melt or the mechanical
properties. The additive ensures that
WACKER’s applications engineers
who carried out the screening chose bio- plastics can be processed with-
the biopolyesters polylactic acid and out difficulty. Mixed in with VINNEX
polybutylene succinate as representa- GENIOPLAST primarily affects the
tives of biodegradable plastics. While surface properties of the plastic item,
biopolyesters are, in principle, con- especially in filled systems.
sidered alternatives to conventional In the bioplastic samples that were

44 PLASTICS NEWSASTICS NEWS January 2024
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