Clariant additives enabling recyclability of plastics waste while sustaining valuable properties

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Clariant is taking proactive steps in addressing the problem of plastic pollution with new solutions for diverse industry sectors, from packaging – the main use of plastics – to textile floorings and consumer electronics, said the producer.

Complementing its “fit for reuse” solutions announced August 21 where Clariant demonstrated how its additives are recyclable, it now showcases the next level, turning the spotlight on how its additives can make it easier to recycle post-production and post-consumer plastic waste while keeping the material’s performance properties.

Increasing manufacturing waste reuse in packaging films. Newly-developed AddWorks PKG 906 Circle for polyolefin films is a prime example of enabling plastic packaging producers to achieve some of their critical sustainability and business goals: waste reduction, less consumption of virgin resin, lower costs and increased production efficiency. The addition of this polymer stabilizer allows producers to significantly increase the reuse of waste materials in their polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) films, recycling their own reground scrap, without any loss of performance or processing efficiency.

Clariant also offers more additives allowing recyclate-use to be increased. On the processing side, high performing lubricants can be added to recycled polymers to improve the flow and mold release properties of recyclates. A recycler of post-consumer electronic waste for example is cooperating with Clariant, using its Licolub® H 12 to modify the recyclate’s rheology at low dosages to achieve melt flow improvement during processing and ultimately help transform components that have reached their end of life into high-quality new products. Clariant is also at an advanced stage in being able to market its compatibilizer range for use in recycling to help overcome the problem of utilizing post-consumer or post-industrial mixed plastic waste streams, so that plastics from plastic-rich waste streams can be efficiently reintroduced into the primary cycle.

Stephan Lynen, Head of BU Additives, Clariant comments: “300 million tons of plastic waste are generated every year and only 2% are effectively recycled. Closing the loop for plastics starts with designing materials that are easier and economically efficient to recycle. We’re therefore very proud that we are able to innovate additives which can help plastic manufacturers to become part of the solution in the transition to a circular economy. Our support for the packaging, carpet and electronic industries are great examples of how advanced innovation can divert waste materials from landfill or incineration and make them recyclable. Our additives can help to increase recycling yields, and avoid degradation, odor and discoloration. We will continue to develop additives that increase the reuse potential of industrial and consumer waste. Our commitment is without alternative."
MRC

Imports of bottle grade PET to Russia fell 23% in August

MOSCOW (MRC) - Import deliveries of bottle grade PET chips to the Russian market in August decreased by 20% compared to August 2018 and amounted to 8,900 tonnes (excluding supplies from Belarus), according to MRC DataScope report.

Russia's imports of bottle grade PET in July of this year reached 13,400 tonnes, up 33.5% from imports in August of this year.

Nevertheless, total imports of bottle grade PET in Russia grew by 26% in January-August of this year to 105,400 tonnes against 84,000 tonnes in the same period a year earlier.
It was previously reported that imports of Chinese bottle grade PET chips to the Russian market increased by 34% in January-August.

Imports of bottle grade PET chips from China decreased by 41% in August to 7,600 tonnes against 12,800 tonnes in July.

Total imports of bottle grade PET chips from China to Russia increased by 34% to 95,600 tonnes.
MRC

Imports of Chinese bottle grade PET chips to Ukraine decreased almost twice

MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of Chinese bottle grade PET chips to Ukraine have almost halved to the lowest level since the beginning of the year, according to a DataScope review of Market Report.

August imports of Chinese bottle grade PET chips to Ukraine were 5,700 tonnes, compared to 10,900 tonnes a month earlier. In August of the previous year, shipments of PET chips were 10,400 tonnes.

Deliveries of Chinese bottle grade PET in August accounted for 52% from total imports against a share of 75% in July and 71% in August last year.
It was earlier said that August imports of bottle grade PET chips to the country decreased by a quarter and amounted to 10,900 tonnes against 14,700 tonnes a month earlier. In August of the previous year, shipments of PET chips were 14,600 tonnes.

Import deliveries of bottle grade PET chips to Ukraine decreased by 2% in January-August compared to the same period last year and amounted to 102,200 tonnes. Ukraine's imports of bottle grade PET chips in January-August last year amounted to 104,700 tonnes.
MRC

Imports of Iranian PS to Russia rose significantly in August

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Shipments of general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) from Iran to Russia increased in August almost by four times from the previous month, totalling 920 tonnes versus 240 tonnes in July, according to MRC's DataScope report.


Imports from Iran were 420 tonnes in August 2018.

Producers Artan Petro and Petropaak with the share of 62% and 35%, respectively, accounted for the bulk of shipments from Iran.

At present, Iran is the third largest country supplying polystyrene (PS) to Russia after Belgium and South Korea. Thus, the share of Iranian material was 14% in January-August 2019, whereas that of Belgium was 37% and of South Korean - 22%.

PS shipments from Iran to the Russian market grew by 89% year on year in January-August 2019 to 5,040 tonnes from 2,670 tonnes a year earlier.

MRC

August GPPS and HIPS production fell in Russia by 19%

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Russian plants reduced their output of general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) in August 2019 by 19% year on year to 27,280 tonnes, according to MRC's ScanPlast report.

This figure was at 33,5400 tonnes in August 2018.

Russia's August GPPS and HIPS production decreased by 15% from July 2019.

Last month's reduction in Russia's polystyrene (PS) production was mainly caused by a long launch of the standard output at Gazprom neftekhim Salavat after a period of shutdown for maintenance and by the shutdown for a turnaround at Penoplex's plant in Kirishi from 5 August to 13-14 September.


PS production slightly increased in the Russian market in January-August 2019. Thus, the increase was 1% year on year: 251,690 tonnes versus 248,150 tonnes a year earlier.

MRC