Wacker presents additive masterbatches for biodegradable polyesters at K 2022
Three new additive masterbatches for modifying biodegradable polyesters will be unveiled by chemicals group Wacker at the 22nd International Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber (Oct. 9-26 in Düsseldorf, Germany).
Wacker's new additive masterbatches are granulated polymer blends composed of vinyl acetate-based polymer resins and polylactic acid. Available under the names Vinnex LA 2540, Vinnex LA 2640 and Vinnex LA 8040, the blends act like pure vinyl acetate-based resins, but are easier to handle and thus particularly easy to process. The new products complement the Munich-based chemical company's proven Vinnex additive system with premixed products optimized for further processing in the form of dry blends, i.e. free-flowing dry blends. The additives can be stirred directly into the raw polymer to be modified in solid mixers. In this way, plastics processors can dispense with the time-consuming compounding process step.
The system's carrier material is a commercially available polylactic acid produced from renewable raw materials. The actual active components are vinyl acetate-based polymer resins. The new additive masterbatches are compatible with all biodegradable polyesters. Unlike non-compounded vinyl acetate-based polymer resins, they can generally be transported and stored without refrigeration even at summer ambient temperatures. The three product types differ in terms of the polymer resins used and therefore achieve different effects: Vinnex LA 2540 and Vinnex LA 2640 are predestined for the production of highly transparent, biodegradable films. Both grades increase melt strength, which allows extrusion processes to be optimized. With higher melt strength, these two grades reduce the necking observed in quite a few biodegradable polyesters. In blown film extrusion, they stabilize the extruded polymer bubble and therefore enable high process speeds. Vinnex LA 8040 reduces the viscosity of the melt, both at low and high shear rates. This grade is therefore the additive masterbatch of choice when the polymer melt needs to be particularly flowable, as is the case in the production of complex, finely structured plastic articles in injection molding or 3D printing.