Ampacet diverts plastic films from landfill with new blend of functional additives

08 Jan 2020 --- Ampacet has introduced ReVive Compatibilizer masterbatch, a blend of functional additives that can reduce the amount of material sent to landfills by allowing post-industrial and post-consumer barrier films to be reprocessed back into the polyolefin recycling stream. ReVive is part of Ampacet’s R3 Sustainable Solutions, a portfolio of innovative masterbatches supporting the global circular economy.

“ReVive helps to minimize the environmental impact of barrier film packaging and can help CPG brands use more recycled materials in their packaging to achieve sustainability goals,” comments Doreen Becker, Sustainability Director for Ampacet.

Ampacet ReVive allows film producers to meet the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) test protocols, which enable CPG brands to apply for Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s (SPC) How2Recycle designations. Film producers can also lower costs by reducing their use of virgin resin.

Ampacet ReVive maintains good flow properties with letdown ratios of 3-5 percent of the total film structure in recycled materials containing Nylon and/or EVOH, which leads to improved processing.

Independent tests demonstrated that Ampacet ReVive improves optical properties: adding 5 percent to PE/Nylon blend reduces haze from 55 percent to 18 percent and increases gloss from 18 to 43 Gloss Units, compared with a PE/PA recycle stream with and without ReVive. This improves flow and mechanical properties, resulting in improved gloss and lower haze, the supplier notes.

R3 refers to the global circular economy mission statement: reduce, reuse and recycle and transition from a regional linear take, make and waste model.

In other Ampacet news, in October the plastics specialist introduced HALOFREE 709, a halogen-free masterbatch that offers “outstanding” flame retardancy in polyethylene film at low addition rates and complies with health and environmental safety protection regulations. Flame retardancy for plastics is designed to provide self-extinguishing characteristics, prevent plastic from dripping when coming into contact with flames and decrease the possibility of smoke formation.

In August, Ampacet introduced a plastic pellet masterbatch that has been specifically formulated to enhance the appearance and functionality of post-consumer resins. Known as Blue Edge 78, the masterbatch increases bottle brightness and transparency.

Also in August, Ampacet introduced a metal detectable masterbatch for plastic, 1000818-E, that aids in the detection of plastic containments.

In May, German chemical and consumer goods company Henkel announced that is was set to launch a fully recyclable black plastic bottle for its Bref products. The new packaging material – developed by Ampacet – uses an alternative carbon-free black color, enabling used bottles to be detected by recycling facility infra-red (NIR) optical sensors and integrated back into the value chain.

Edited by Joshua Poole