Bookmark 11-28-2019

Food-Waste Based

Bio-Based Flame Retardants

The hydrocarbons used for the additives are obtained from residue oils and food waste (© Fanny Haga, TBWA)

Clariant of Muttenz, Switzerland, has introduced additives based on renewable raw materials. The manufacturer is cooperating here with the Finnish company Neste of Espoo, Finland. Their additives with the name suffix “Terra” are based on mass-balance certified ethylene and propylene. The starting materials are supplied by Neste. They are obtained from bio-based raw materials such as food wastes and residual oils. According to Clariant, these additives behave like corresponding products from fossil sources. Thus renewed approvals or modifications to manufacturing processes and equipment are not believed to be required.

Improving Processing and Recycling of Plastics

These biobased additives include halogen-free flame retardants that improve the processing and recycling of plastics. The flame retardants correspond to Clariant’s Exolit-OP series, satisfy the standard UL94 V-O, and do not interfere with recycling processes. Even after multiple compounding, they should still provide stable flame protection. They are intended for use in electro-technology, electronics, and vehicle parts.

The additive Licocene PE 4201, however, is a lubricant for polyolefines and a nucleating agent for expanded polystyrene. Licocene PP 6102 is an external lubricant for use in PVC extrusion. It is also a suitable as a dispersant for pigments and additives in masterbatches.