Speciality chemicals producer Clariant has introduced several new products in recent weeks, among them a UV stabiliser Hostavin N845PP for polyolefin (PO) compounds that can be used in interior automotive applications and Licocene wax grades offering unique easy-handling and all-round versatility and performance for plastics processors.

In addition to UV protection, Hostavin N845PP offers low fogging and low migration performance plus processing efficiency, the company said.

Migration is a significant concern for manufacturers of components such as dashboards, centre consoles and door cladding. Migration of a light stabiliser out of the PP part can cause undesired surface deposits or create a fogging effect on vehicle windscreens. Automotive manufacturers conduct rigorous testing at high temperatures to check for fogging potential.

“Hostavin N845PP protects PO-based components against sunlight and artificial light degradation. Unlike other anti-UV active agents, it remains within the plastic and does not migrate to the surface of the component when exposed to heat. As a result Hostavin N845PP has a significantly reduced fogging and migration potential compared to other UV stabilisers,” Clariant explained.

“This pioneering advantage is achieved through the grade’s excellent compatibility with the PO matrix. Hostavin N845PP is a 2-in-1 active ingredient, which means that the UV stabiliser is enclosed in a non-traditional carrier. The carrier ensures good processability of the PO compound, contributing to the knock-on performance benefits.”

The 2-1 ingredient also creates a more efficient and safer processing environment. Supplied in granule rather than powder form, Hostavin N845PP is free-flowing and dust-free. This enables compounders and masterbatch producers to control dosage levels more easily, allowing simple and efficient handling, and eliminates the potential for breathing in dust particles.

“When you add the UV protection and all the side benefits together, Hostavin N845PP brings a step change in performance and processing efficiency to plastics processors serving the automotive industry,” comments Ernesto Dongiovanni, technical head at Clariant.

Licocene reaches new levels
With the launch of Licocene wax grades Clariant says it has set new levels in customer convenience.

The extension of Clariant’s Licocene portfolio with high-performance metallocene-catalysed grades Licocene PP 1302, PP 1502, PP 2602 and PP 6102 creates unprecedented possibilities for processors to improve their efficiency and production quality and reduce costs, the company stressed.

“The pioneering Licocene grades act as a dispersing and carrier agent in one for pre-mix formulations. The waxes can be used universally, displaying high compatibility with countless polymers used in plastics applications,” it said.

As a sole carrier, inventory management is simplified and costs are reduced. Processors can achieve better control and faster dispersion of colourants, additives and fillers without any negative impact on physical and mechanical properties. The use of a sole carrier enables processors to create more highly-filled and therefore effective formulations than traditionally possible. Particular performance needs can be tailored to specific applications through the controlled addition of the necessary ingredients, Clariant explained.

Furthermore, the waxes allow ingredients to be shaped together into a granular format that is highly convenient and easy to handle.

The metallocene-catalysed Licocene grades are available as amorphous and semi-crystalline granules. They offer low melting points (~80°C - 165°C), low viscosities at 170°C (~60 mPas – 7000 mPas) and narrow molecular weight distribution (<2).

“Creating solutions that support our customers in improving their efficiency is fundamental to Clariant’s approach, and processors want an easy to handle granule that will help them achieve this,” comments Michael Grosskopf, head of the business unit additives, Clariant International Ltd. “With the new Licocene grades we have a market first that will take our customers a step further towards more efficient processing with knock-on cost benefits. We are proud to unveil this flagship innovation at K 2010.”

Clariant, which is represented on five continents with over 100 group companies, employs around 17,300 people. Headquartered in Muttenz near Basel, Switzerland, it generated sales of CHF 6.6 billion ($6.77 billion) in 2009.