Page 32 - Plastic News November 2023

FEATURE

The Advantages of Using Masterbatch in the Polymer Industry

he world of plastics manufactur- product. 6. Customisation
Ting is constantly evolving, and in- 2. Cost Efficiency Manufacturers can tailor masterbatch-
novations in materials and processes es to their specific requirements.
play a crucial role in meeting the de- Masterbatches offer cost savings in
mands of various industries. One such multiple ways. Manufacturers can This customisation allows for the cre-
innovation is the use of masterbatch, keep stock of fewer polymer grades ation of unique colour shades or the
a solid additive that has become indis- and purchase bulk quantities of natu- incorporation of specialised additives
pensable in the polymer industry. In ral polymers at lower costs. The con- to meet the demands of different in-
this blog, we'll explore what master- centrated nature of masterbatches al- dustries and applications.
batch is and delve into the numerous lows for higher accuracy when dosing 7. Improved Physical Properties
advantages it offers to manufacturers expensive additives, reducing waste
and processors. and overall production costs. Masterbatch can significantly enhance
the physical properties of plastic
What is Masterbatch? 3. High Let-Down Ratios products. These improvements in-

A masterbatch (MB) is a solid addi- Masterbatches are highly concen- clude increased toughness, flexural
tive used for colouring (colour mas- trated, with the potential for high stiffness, adhesion, printability, and
terbatch) or imparting other proper- "let-down ratios." For example, 25 kg even permanent electrical conductiv-
ties (additive masterbatch) to plastics. of masterbatch can be used to com- ity when required.
These masterbatches are concentrat- pound one ton of natural polymer. 8. Process Efficiency
ed mixtures of pigments and/or addi- This dilute nature makes them ideal
tives encapsulated in a carrier matrix, for accurately dosing small amounts Using masterbatch simplifies the man-
such as resin or wax. of additives, enhancing both cost-ef- ufacturing process by eliminating the
ficiency and precision in production. need for on-site compounding from
The resulting mixture is cooled and raw materials. This streamlines pro-
processed into granules or left as a 4. Extended Shelf Life duction, reduces labour costs, and
bulk solid. Masterbatches are de- Solid masterbatches are solvent-free, minimises the risk of errors in com-
signed to make colouring plastics which means they have longer shelf pounding.
more cost-effective for secondary lives compared to additives in liquid
processors. form. There's no risk of solvent evap- In the ever-evolving polymer indus-
try, masterbatch has emerged as a
Advantages of Using Masterbatch oration, ensuring the masterbatch re- game-changer, offering a multitude of
tains its properties over time.
1. Improved Dispersion advantages to manufacturers. From
5. Versatility in Application cost savings and improved dispersion
One of the significant challenges in to enhanced physical properties and
polymer processing is ensuring even Masterbatches can be used in most
dispersion of additives or colorants polymer processing methods, mak- customisation options, masterbatch
has proven to be a valuable asset in
throughout the material. ing them versatile for various manu- achieving higher efficiency and quality
facturing processes. Whether it's in-
Masterbatches solve this problem by jection moulding, extrusion, or blow in polymer processing. As technology
providing a premixed composition molding, masterbatches can be incor- continues to advance, it's likely that
with proper dispersion. This ensures porated to enhance properties and masterbatch will play an even more
uniform colouration and consistent aesthetics. critical role in shaping the future of
property enhancement in the final plastics manufacturing.

32 PLASTICS NEWSASTICS NEWS November 2023
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