WEB EXCLUSIVE: Six new clarified PP grades for injection molding, blow molding, and thermoforming are available from Houston-based Phillips 66.

Just as eco-friendliness was a major theme in materials news at the big show in April, so it was with additives.

The latest nucleator for polypropylene from Milliken Chemical, Spartanburg, S.C., is Hyperform HPN-600ei.

Two new polypropylene random copolymers are said to give housewares a dramatically brighter and cleaner look, thanks to Millad NX8000 clarifi er from Milliken Chemical, Spartanburg, S.C.

Want your plastic to mold faster, tougher, clearer?

Over the past several years, significant innovations have occurred in the area of polypropylene nucleation.

In July we reported on new colorants and additives to be shown at NPE in Chicago, based on information available before the show (see Learn More box). But the miles of aisles at McCormick Place held still more newsworthy product introductions.

A new silver-based antimicrobial additive designed for use with injection moldable liquid silicone rubber comes from Milliken Chemical, Spartanburg, S.C.

Recycling of polypropylene is made more difficult by the presence of various colorants and nucleators in mixed batches of reclaim, which can affect shrinkage and warpage.

Part II of our review of the big JEC international composites show in Paris focuses on resins and reinforcements. (Part I, last month, covered process enhancements, thermoplastic composites, machinery, and tooling. See Learn More box.)

A recent North American sales and marketing agreement between Clariant Masterbatches, Holden, Mass., and Milliken Chemical, Spartanburg, S.C., provides new special-effect masterbatches for clarified PP.

Plastics are going “green,” but they will need some help to get there. Biodegradable polymers derived from renewable resources are attracting lots of interest and publicity, but that enthusiasm is counterbalanced by persistent questions of availability, cost, performance, and processability. All these issues are inter-related: Increasing demand will lead to more capacity, which will presumably lead to lower prices. But the foundation is market demand, which ultimately depends on whether biopolymers will have the performance properties and processability to compete with existing non-renewable plastics.

Among the host of new additives at K 2007 were a number of unusual entries: additives to add scratch resistance or reduce odor, leaps ahead in PP clarifying, specialized antioxidant protection for nanocomposites, a growth enhancer for greenhouse films, and a naturally free-flowing TiO2. In addition, “Green” was the theme of exhibits that highlighted “all-natural” additives for biopolymers, and colors to enliven recycled resins.

Several new resins and additives that raise part performance and improve processability were launched at the recent 32nd Annual Fall Meeting of the Association of Rotational Molders (ARM) in Detroit.

Improved clarity and cost competitiveness, added to its inherent heat resistance, are reviving OPP’s prospects in hot-fill barrier containers. But hot-fill PET containers are raising the bar with higher productivity and ‘panel-less’ bottle designs.

The world’s largest plastics show next month in Dusseldorf will highlight an unusual mix of new polymer additives, including some based on novel chemistries that reportedly set new levels of performance.

Part II of our review of the biggest international composites show focuses on new reinforcements, resins, prepregs, and additives. Thermoplastics were a particularly strong presence.

A "hyper-nucleating" agent designed for polyethylene blown film was recently granted broad food-contact approval by the FDA.

Topping the news from the year’s biggest composites show are PP ballistic panels, “stealth” composites, thermoplastic RTM, new tooling concepts, microwave curing, “instant” SMC, and laser projection for QC and ply layup.

There were new additives for every need at NPE 2006: Make your plastics prettier with new colorants. Make them stronger with new fillers and reinforcements. Make them lighter with foaming agents. Or just make them go away with improved purging agents and biodegradable masterbatches.

Compounders, molders, and extruders will be treated to a wide range of new additives at NPE 2006.

Among the more unusual blow molding developments at K 2004 was a closed-loop control system that monitors and corrects material distribution in PET containers as they are produced.

Self-reinforcing thermoplastic composites made by consolidating woven fabrics of oriented polypropylene tape are already commercial in Europe.

Maybe this time the often-predicted breakthrough will actually occur. What could make the difference are improved resins, clarifiers, and machinery.

New packaging opportunities are opening up for PP, thanks to a new crop of additives that boost clarity, stiffness, HDT, and processing rates.

Molders, extruders, and compounders found a host of new additives, including colorants, compatibilizers, impact modifiers, foaming agents, and processing aids.

Two additives based on new nucleator chemistry from Japan offer molders and thermoformers of polypropylene new tools for improving productivity. They also offer sparkling clarity in PP packaging.