Abstract

Short introduction on plastics market with focus on polyethylene global data. Are introduced and discussed general aspects of degradation and stabilization of different Polyethylene types and are explained the different families of light stabilizers and formulations in use.

Presented Pigments influence on UV stabilization and showed the impact of HALS alkalinity on acids systems. Explained UV stabilizers chemical action and HALS stabilization mechanisms. Highlighted synergies between different UV stabilizers, in particular UVAs or benzoates and presented recipes and synergistic trends for PE applications such as Agricultural films, industrial protective films, Rotomolding items, tapes, FR systems, roofing membranes and artificial turf.

About the Presenter

• Graduate in 1984 with degree in Industrial Chemistry with 110/110 cum laude at Bologna University (Italy)
• 1985 Specialization in Organic Synthesis at Ferrara University (Italy)
• 1986 – 1993 Head of Polyolefin Applications Lab at Himont
• 1993 – 1997 Head Manager of Formulations (PP, PE, TPO, Compounds, PB-1) at Montell
• 1997 – 2000 Director of Plastic Additives division of 3V Sigma SpA (Italy)
• 2000 – 2002 Senior key Account Manager Injection Molding in Basell
• 2002 – 2004 Director of Sales & Marketing in rigid and flexible Packaging/BOPP south EU at Basell
• 2004 – 2010 R&D new Materials and Innovation associate Director in Lyondellbasell
• 2010 – 2013 R&D Product development and Technology Transfer associate Director in Lyondellbasell
• 2013 – 2019 Chief chemical Technology Officer in SABO SpA (Italy)
• 2019 – 2023 Plastics Consultant for Polymers applications and Stabilization

Abstract

The last five years the polymer market has experienced and is still experiencing shortages in the supply of additives, all kind of additives. These shortages were caused by e.g. environmental issues in China, lockdowns of production sites and harbours (Covid), disruption of the transport lines, REACH SVHC positive list, ….

In this reformulation presentation, for the different classes of stabilizers, alternatives will be proposed for the most used phenolic antioxidants, phosphites, thioesters, UV absorbers and HALS.

About the Speaker

Roberto V. Todesco obtained his Master Degree at the University of Ghent (Be) in 1975, followed in 1981 by a PHD at the Catholic University of Leuven(Be) with a thesis on the “Photo behavior of bi-chromophores” . Till 1984, he worked as Associate Professor at the University of Diepenbeek (Be) teaching organic and inorganic chemistry and continuing research on photochemistry of organic molecules and polymers.

Roberto completed his specialization in “Photo chemistry and photo physics of photoactive polymers” as a Research Associate at the University of Notre Dame (Indiana/USA) and more specifically at the “Radiation Center” from 1984-1986.

Subsequently, he worked for 2 years at DSM (Netherlands) in the “Additives Group”, dealing with the stabilization of polymers (PO and Engineering Plastics) and joined in 1988 Ciba Specialty Chemicals (Switzerland), for which company he worked till 2004 in the Additives Division, dealing with all aspects of stabilization (process, thermal and light stability) of all polymers : he was active as technical service person, head of analytics and head of the application laboratories WW; introduced all newly developed additives in the market of which the specialty anti-oxidants and HALS were the largest group.

Roberto joined Sabo International SA(Switzerland) in 2004 as Technical Director, being responsible for all technical aspects of (1) the stabilizers produced at Sabo S.p.A.(Italy) and more specifically light stabilizers (HALS and UVA) and (2) all the surfactants (antistats, antifogs and dispersants) for use in polymers and coatings.

Finally, since January 2016, Roberto took the position of Senior Technical Specialist Additives at RVT Consulting, advising customers in the field of additives for polymers and coatings.

Additionally to this, Roberto is since 2004 actively involved as steering committee member in the SPE Additives and Colors Group Europe.

Abstract

TBA

About the Speaker

Kathrin Lehmann born in 1967 studied synthetic chemistry at the Humboldt University of Berlin. She worked for a titanium dioxide manufacturer five years and did European technical service for that company.

In 1999 she joined Evonik (previously called Degussa) and took over the development of surfactants and dispersants for coating application.

Since 2004 she has been working with Evonik in her current position being group leader of Interface & Performance Polymers activities. This global technical function includes technical service as well as development responsibility for additives used for compounds, masterbatches, and composites as well as for polymerisation processes and adhesives.

Abstract

TBA

About the Speaker

Kathrin Lehmann born in 1967 studied synthetic chemistry at the Humboldt University of Berlin. She worked for a titanium dioxide manufacturer five years and did European technical service for that company.

In 1999 she joined Evonik (previously called Degussa) and took over the development of surfactants and dispersants for coating application.

Since 2004 she has been working with Evonik in her current position being group leader of Interface & Performance Polymers activities. This global technical function includes technical service as well as development responsibility for additives used for compounds, masterbatches, and composites as well as for polymerisation processes and adhesives.

Abstract

Overview

• Circular Plastics Value Chain and Evonik‘s Specialty Position
• Evonik provides solutions along the entire Circular Value Chain of Plastics
• We increase the sustainable content in our products
• Overview of additive technologies for polymer application
• Evonik technical capabilities
• High filled additive masterbatches – Antifog, Antistatic, Slip,…
• Reifenhäuser trial using Evonik‘s PPA technology
• ACCUREL Masterbatch Portfolio
• PPA based on organomodified siloxane masterbatch
• Plastics Waste Streams
• Evonik Additives for Recycling
• Evonik Additives for Wet Stage Recycling
• Evonik Additives for Regranulation and Compounding – Malodor Absorption
• Evonik additives for Compatibilisation
• Compatibilisation of PP in HDPE was successful with TEGO® Cycle CP 310 – much improved welding strength 2% addition
• Compatibilisation of PP in r-LDPE from PCR
• Compatibilisation of PA or EVOH in Polyolefines
• Our Technical Plant in Essen/Germany
• Evonik additives help along the entire process to convert plastic waste into plastic goods

About the Speaker

Kathrin Lehmann born in 1967 studied synthetic chemistry at the Humboldt University of Berlin. She worked for a titanium dioxide manufacturer five years and did European technical service for that company.

In 1999 she joined Evonik (previously called Degussa) and took over the development of surfactants and dispersants for coating application.

Since 2004 she has been working with Evonik in her current position being group leader of Interface & Performance Polymers activities. This global technical function includes technical service as well as development responsibility for additives used for compounds, masterbatches, and composites as well as for polymerisation processes and adhesives.

Technical Focus of the SPE Additives and Color Europe Division

It will be the purpose of Additives & Colors Europe (ACE) to stimulate and diffuse the knowledge of the modification and the coloration of plastics and polymers in Europe, and to provide a platform to the plastics additives and color community. ACE will encourage technical and scientific activities for advancement of plastics taking benefit from the use of dyes, colors, pigments, other modifiers and ionizing radiation, especially through studying their mutual interactions in polymeric systems.

About the Speaker

Tom Mestdag holds a Master's Degree of Chemical Engineer and started his career in 1990 at Campine NV, Beerse (Belgium) as a Regional Sales Manager for Antimony Trioxide and Fire Retardant Masterbatches in Europe & Asia.

In 1997, he became Business Unit Manager for the Masterbatch division.

In January 2000, Tom joined The Shepherd Color Company as Regional Sales Manager. 2 years later, he became the European Sales Manager, with responsibility over the EMEA region.

In June 2020, he moved to Cathay Industries, globally the second largest producer of iron oxide pigments, where he currently holds the position of Managing Director of their European branch.

About SPE-Inspiring Plastics Professionals

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Our members needs are our passion. We work hard so that we can ensure that everyone has the tools necessary to meet her or his personal & professional goals.

And, like our members, we are committed to giving back to the communities that have given us so much. Together it’s our responsibility to make the plastics world a better place by providing a forum that generates a strong awareness of issues facing the plastics community so that we can look at the solutions that will benefit everyone. Join us in bringing about real change. Together we will make a difference.

About the Speaker

Bruce received a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1980. He is now retired from Celanese where he was the Global Color Technology Director. Bruce has been involved with all aspects of appearance including color development, gloss control and UV stabilization. He was with Celanese for 35 years.

Bruce is an Honored Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers, having achieved both Fellow and Honored Service Member status. Bruce is very active within the Color & Appearance Division, where he is currently a member of the Board of Directors, Division Treasurer, past Councilor, and a past chairman. Bruce is currently the President of SPE, starting his term on January 1st, 2023. He is also a member of the Detroit Color Council. Bruce has presented numerous papers on coloring and UV stabilization, and holds several patents in those areas.

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP), one of world’s most versatile polymers, is missing from the recycling stream. Yet PP is prolific.

The UK uses 700,000 tonnes per annum of it which, at best, gets recycled back into lower-value products or goes to landfill and there certainly is no recycled food-grade PP. In the US it is estimated that 827,000 tons of PP per annum is generated by single-family households. Their lack of infrastructure to collect and recycle means PP is on the verge of being removed from use in the US.

LCA studies conducted by Plastics Europe demonstrate that recycled PP or recycled HDPE are more environmentally beneficial than recycled PET.

The multi-participant project, NEXTLOOPP, is making in creating a world-first; food-grade recycled polypropylene (FGrPP), which is poised to transform the way we sort PP food items from non-food items to greater than 99% in one pass and decontaminate them to very high rates via mechanical recycling processes. This will enable greater volumes of rPP to be included in the circular economy.

About the Speaker

Professor Kosior’s expertise in the plastics recycling sector spans 48 years, split between 23 years as an academic and 25 years working in plastic packaging recycling.

He has been instrumental in designing numerous modern recycling plants and has achieved a number of patented recycling breakthroughs. He provides support to organisations such as the Earth Champions Foundation, Plastics Oceans, PEW Foundation Trust on the Project “Stopping Ocean Plastics” and is the founder of NEXTLOOPP, the 48 strong multi-participant project aimed at closing the loop on food-grade PP.

Professor Kosior is also the winner of The Alliance to end Plastic Waste’s US$3million prize with COtooCLEAN, a unique technology to recycle soft plastic films.

Abstract

Rich of our 130-year-old history, SULO group has focused in the past decades on waste collection and waste collection facilities. We work with around 2500 people all over the world and collaborate with over 5000 local authorities in 50 countries. Our aim is to enable the collection of waste before it pollutes landscapes and oceans, and we contribute to sorting of the waste for recycling enabling its further use as a precious resource.

We are proud to present the success story of HDPE wheely bins. All our HDPE bins are today produced with an average recycling ratio of 76% and are 100% recyclable. We developed an eco-designed range, where we considerably reduced the weight and thus the plastic consumption and which is manufactured completely from recycled materials. We present the principles of circular economy and closed-loop recycling, future challenges, and drawbacks. Furthermore, we show some post-consumer sources suitable for the plastic bin production. The challenges in the bin production are input material quality and color compliance and we present an overview of our technologies to overcome these challenges.

The quality and the longevity of our products are of course in the focus. To assure an unchanged quality with the use of recycled materials an enlarged testing is done.

About the Speaker

Tatjana has several years of experience in the industry of rubber and thermoplastics. She started at SULO in 2021 and is in charge of increasing and maintaining the use of recycled HDPE in the production of waste containers at different production plants in Europe.

Tatjana studied physics in Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany) and ENS de Lyon (France) and obtained her PhD in 2014 from Université Claude Bernard Lyon (France) in 2013. She then started her career as an academic scientist in experimental physics before choosing her career path in polymer injection companies.

Abstract

Material selection during the design phase can dictate a final part’s ability to be recycled or not. This paper looks at an appearance part that transformed three different material solutions into a single material solution such that the final part was now recyclable and produced at lower cost. A look at the technical challenges and solutions to achieve this result is included.

About the Speaker

Bruce received a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1980. He is now retired from Celanese where he was the Global Color Technology Director. Bruce has been involved with all aspects of appearance including color development, gloss control and UV stabilization. He was with Celanese for 35 years.

Bruce is an Honored Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers, having achieved both Fellow and Honored Service Member status. Bruce is very active within the Color & Appearance Division, where he is currently a member of the Board of Directors, Division Treasurer, past Councilor, and a past chairman. Bruce is currently the President of SPE, starting his term on January 1st, 2023. He is also a member of the Detroit Color Council. Bruce has presented numerous papers on coloring and UV stabilization, and holds several patents in those areas.

Abstract

Polyolefins PO are the most important representatives of thermoplastic organic polymers. As thermoplastics, PO are mixed and shaped above 200°C (390 F). Due to their organic nature, PO age significantly at these elevated temperatures due to the presence of oxygen. In consequence, PO must be stabilized with Anti Aging Materials.

A large variety of Anti Aging Materials were proposed in the past and are still available. Over time though, only a few general stabilization concepts based “on a handful” of Anti Aging Materials became dominant. Such general stabilization concepts can cover many general purpose applications of PO, but show nevertheless some limitations.

This paper discusses one specific limit of current general stabilization concepts, which is a potential fragmentation of the stabilizer while it is chemically reacting to preserve the polyolefin substrate in order to prevent the fragmentation of the polyolefin substrate itself.

An new classification of the discovered organic fragments is proposed, as alternative to the initial classification upon retention times in GC-MS based analytical procedures. This new classification allows a better understanding of parameters promoting or in contrast prohibiting the formation of such organic fragments.

About the Speaker

Klaus Keck was born in 1965 in Germany, is divorced and has 2 adult daughters.

He has nearly 30 years of experience in the polymer industry as well as the topic of modification of organic substrates with additives. After his study of polymeric chemistry at the Fachhochschule (technical university) Reutlingen in Germany, he joined various companies in the area of additives/stabilizers to modify organic (polymeric) substrates. These companies include HOECHST (D), HOECHST CELANESE (USA), CLARIANT (USA), GREAT LAKES CHEMICAL (USA, B), CHEMTURA (B), SONGWON (CH, South Korea) and since November 2020 RIANLON Corporation (CN, D).

The vast majority of the time he held positions in technical service & application development. Currently, at RIANLON, he is in charge of developing the systematic knowledge databases for RIANLON international technical service activities.

Klaus graduated in 1990 in polymer science from the Technical College (Fachhochschule) in Reutlingen (Germany) and in 2022 obtained his PhD from Manchester Metropolitan University (UK).

In his leisure time, Klaus lectures courses at the University of Liège (Ulg in Belgium), on topics including "introduction to polymer physics", "industrial polymerization procedures" as well as "chemistry and technology of polymers".

Michele Edge obtained her PhD in 1990 working in conjunction with Eastman Kodak and the British Film Archive on the stability of cellulose ester and polyester motion-picture film.

She has over 30 years of experience in research as a Reader in Polymer Science with >200 publications in peer-reviewed journals and books. Following her recent retirement, she continues to contribute as a Visiting Research Fellow.

Most of her research has been carried out in conjunction with industry, focusing on understanding and improving the performance and stability of polymer-based products and their additive interactions. Projects have included reformulation of additive packages for metallocene based polyolefins (REPSOL PETROLEUM), optimisation of additive formulations (GREAT LAKES), novel metal deactivators (CHEMTURA), controlled photoactivity of titanium dioxide (HUNTSMAN, CRISTAL GLOBAL) controlled release of biocides (UNILEVER, CROSFIELDS), water-extractable additive fragments from polyolefins (SONGWON, RIANLON) enhanced sustainability of PVC and PVC additives (BENEVIC, EUROCELL, FLEXITEEK).

More recently, she has provided knowledge transfer to enable environmental researchers identify microplastics and build a library of polymer and additive markers. She also provides tailored lectures to industry on the degradation and stabilisation of polymers and, is part of the conference international advisory board for the Polymer Degradation Discussion Group (pddg.org).

Abstract

Benzofuranones were introduced in the nineties as the ultimate processing stabilizer for polyolefins. Unfortunately in the beginning of the 21st century the product was taken out of the market. Recently again a sustainable benzofuranone based processing stabilizer for use in a series of thermoplastic polymers e.g. polyolefins, styrenics, polyamides, polyurethanes a.o. has been introduced.

Application examples in a series of polymers are shown, evidencing the superior performance obtained in the processing of polymers and promising a successful use in the recycling of polymers.

About the Speaker

Roberto V. Todesco obtained his Master Degree at the University of Ghent (Be) in 1975, followed in 1981 by a PHD at the Catholic University of Leuven(Be) with a thesis on the “Photo behavior of bi-chromophores” . Till 1984, he worked as Associate Professor at the University of Diepenbeek (Be) teaching organic and inorganic chemistry and continuing research on photochemistry of organic molecules and polymers.

Roberto completed his specialization in “Photo chemistry and photo physics of photoactive polymers” as a Research Associate at the University of Notre Dame (Indiana/USA) and more specifically at the “Radiation Center” from 1984-1986.

Subsequently, he worked for 2 years at DSM (Netherlands) in the “Additives Group”, dealing with the stabilization of polymers (PO and Engineering Plastics) and joined in 1988 Ciba Specialty Chemicals (Switzerland), for which company he worked till 2004 in the Additives Division, dealing with all aspects of stabilization (process, thermal and light stability) of all polymers : he was active as technical service person, head of analytics and head of the application laboratories WW; introduced all newly developed additives in the market of which the specialty anti-oxidants and HALS were the largest group.

Roberto joined Sabo International SA(Switzerland) in 2004 as Technical Director, being responsible for all technical aspects of (1) the stabilizers produced at Sabo S.p.A.(Italy) and more specifically light stabilizers (HALS and UVA) and (2) all the surfactants (antistats, antifogs and dispersants) for use in polymers and coatings.

Finally, since January 2016, Roberto took the position of Senior Technical Specialist Additives at RVT Consulting, advising customers in the field of additives for polymers and coatings.

Additionally to this, Roberto is since 2004 actively involved as steering committee member in the SPE Additives and Colors Group Europe.

Ernesto Dongiovanni, born in 1969, graduated with a Master degree in Material Science at Université Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg (France).

He joined Clariant Polymer Additives Business Line in 1996 in the R&D Department, dealing with developments related to thermoplastics stabilisations: from UV to thermal and processing stabilisation.

In 2001 he took over the responsibility of the Application development laboratories. He occupied then several positions in the same field of Polymer Additives, from Head of Technical Marketing to Head of Marketing and lately Head of Innovation.

Since November 2022 joined Palmarole AG as Sales & Business development Manager for Europe.

Abstract

Twin screw extruders can turn a recycling process into an upcycling process with significantly higher added value. In this presentation, I would like to discuss the process advantages of the twin screw in the recycling process. In addition, the use of inline sensors, such as rheometer or color measurement for process monitoring will be highlighted.

About the Speaker

Sebastian achieved a degree for higher education for chemical engineering at the University of Applied Science Nuremberg.

During his years of study he gained professional experience at Siemens and Macrolab in Germany. His degree dissertation was titled “Silicone-free Adhesion of High-Performance Electronic Engineering”.

Since 2007, Sebastian has been with the Leistritz Extrusionstechnik GmbH as a chemical engineer. In 2011, he was appointed team manager of the Leistritz lab. His main responsibility include planning of trials and setting up extruders in terms of chemical engineering. As an expert in the field of extrusion he of course supports the sales team as well as customers. In 2013, he has been appointed Head of Process Technology, 2017 Product and Applications Manager.

Since 2020, he is responsible for all extrusion processes and applications at Leistritz Extrusion Technology in his function as Director Processing & Applications

Sebastian has been a speaker at various workshops and events of the plastics industry around the world.

Abstract

The digitalisation of industrial production is a response to the challenges of a globalized market and the corresponding competition. The main focus is to enhance the efficiency of production processes by networking the data collection of single units. Ultimately this leads to a controlling of production in real-time. A central tool for the realization of this idea is the implementation of inline process analytical technologies in order to obtain direct information from the processed material during production. This decreases the feedback time dramatically. The aim is to illuminate the potential for process monitoring and control by inline UV-VIS spectroscopy for extrusion processes.

The sensors are typically implemented in the extrusion die, where the processed material continuously flows around and in front of the sapphire window. This type of probe installation contributes to the long-term stability. For opaque materials a single sensor is used for the execution of a reflection measurement, while a second sensor at a 180° offset is necessary for transparent materials (transmission measurement). The evaluation of the collected raw is customizable for the individual user and is convertible into every common color metric, e.g. the CIE-Lab color space. In this case the course of the characteristic parameters L*, a*, b*, dE*, C*, h, YI (Yellowness index), a selected range of the spectra etc. is displayed as trend diagram in real-time.

A main application of such an implemented system is the characterization of a process window (e.g. speed, throughput) for a single product and characterization of the extruder (e.g. screw configuration). Therefore deviations from the final specifications are identified easily. In case of mixing processes this reduces changing times by a faster indication of the final mixing state. Additionally, the process variability can be quantified and reduced, while deviations in the formulation can be traced back to the origin, e.g. feeder failures in combination with additional measured data.

A new option is the automated color control in recycling applications where the input material is highly variable. What is expected or desired is an end product with a constant and predetermined color value. Automated color control as an option of inline process monitoring enables this expectation.

In conclusion, Inline Process Monitoring contributes to process optimization by product characterization, reduction of production times and a complete process control for color and additives.

About the Speaker

Graduated in 1992 from the Applied University of Kaiserslautern, I started my career in the city of Berlin at a leading German company for spectrophotometer systems (non-contact solutions for the industrial environment). The company was embedded in 2000 as a subsidiary of a Michigan based US company. Now as General Manager I was responsible for the whole Berlin organization with R&D, manufacturing and a worldwide active sales organization. I’m active in the field of industrial spectroscopy systems and solutions now for more than 25 years. In 2009, I have co-founded ColVisTec AG in Berlin and since day one I’m responsible as the Director of Sales, Marketing, and Customization and provide inline solutions for different industries worldwide.

Abstract

Plastics are materials that can be converted in many different shapes and products: films, plastic parts, fibres etc… these products can be used as active products against different external agents if they are able of interacting with them. In this case external agents are insects (pests) that can be a serious thread because they are vectors of important diseases. Additives are insecticides that can convert plastic products that can protect humans or animals from pest attacks because of the controlled release of those insecticides in the nearby environment.

This insecticide release is based on the diffusivity of these compounds in polymeric matrices generating a migration and the consequent release and the protecting effect.

The present work deals about how to incorporate the insecticide to polymers in form of masterbatch and how to decrease the volatilization of the insecticide during compounding and final processing in final products, generating plastic items with insecticide long lasting effect.

About the Speaker

Degree in Chemistry from the University of Valencia in 1997

Working at AIMPLAS (the plastic technology center in Valencia / Spain) since 2000, first in injection molding and extrusion and a few years later starting the compounding department for he was head from 2009 to 2019. From 2019 to 2021 he led the mechanical recycling group and is currently the Compounding technology Leader. His main role at AIMPLAS has been to develop R & D & I projects and technical consulting with companies at national and international level on topics such as: Polymer stabilization, Nanomaterials, flame retardancy, bioplastics, PVC formulation, electrical / thermal conductivity or recycling among others and from the point of view of consultancy failure analysis, equipment start-up, purchasing and selection advice, etc ... as well as training related to compound manufacturing, formulation, recycling, additivation etc

Abstract

Certech recently invested in a new quadrupole-time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometer (MS) detector for liquid chromatography (LC) to extend the developments done on gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with the single quadrupole detector. This paper will present the first results showing the possibility to analyze oligomers with a broader range of molecular weights (MW up to 10000) and to get better insights into their chemical structure due to the high accuracy (4 decimals) and resolution (up to 60000) of the new Q-TOF detector. Examples are provided, including hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS), concerning the identification and quantification of the additives and oligomers with MW up to 10000, which is of utmost importance for recycling polymers as well as for the proposed criteria for the identification of polymers requiring registration (PRR) under REACH.

About the Speaker

Adrian Boborodea holds a License in Polymer Physics (University of Bucharest, Romania), a Master degree in Modern Synthesis of Macromolecular Compounds (Politehnica University of Bucharest, Romania), as well as a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Politehnica University of Bucharest. His academic background in polymer analysis was completed by more than 25 years of hands-on experience in different characterization methods such as HPLC/GPC and TREF, light scattering, DSC, DMA, rheology, and mechanical testing. He is employed at Certech as a senior analytical scientist managing about 100 contracts per year, which allows him to be in direct contact with current challenges in the polymer industry: REACH, plastic recycling, sustainable (green) chemistry, etc.

Abstract

Nobody needs further convincing of the benefit of recycling thermoplastics, especially after a one-time use. In fact, very soon, legislation will result in penalties if no recycling scheme is offered and used on plastic packaging.

The practical use of recycled plastics is getting well established in terms of processing, once a fine selection of a waste stream is obtained and washed material can be offered with a consistent quality.

Replacing virgin material from existing (sometimes certified) packaging by recycled material is a different challenge.

In the presentation several properties will be highlighted that are affected by the material exchange.

The case studies are meant to be an illustration of points of attention and concerns in the management of change, not seeking a reason to not move to the use of recycled plastics.

The use of additives, some existing, others to be developed can be one of the solutions to overcome the new barriers in this advancing technology approach.

About the Speaker

PhD Polymer Chemistry, VUB, B, 1993

Several technical and managerial roles in multinationals like DuPont de Nemours, Schulman Plastics and LyondellBasell

DuPont de Nemours: automotive coatings and TiO2

Schulman Plastics: colour and additive concentrates for plastic applications

LyondellBasell; acquisition of Schulman Plastics

Currently: general manager at Belgisch verpakkingsinstituut (Belgian Packaging Institute) since April 2020

Abstract

The global pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital practices, and much that was working “analog” had to be adapted to digital, and fast. We all remember the switch to “Working from Home” and the wave of webinars. Even digital trade shows took place instead of meetings in person. Then came the realization that “digital” did not just mean digital marketing and meetings on-line, but “digitalization” allows for different, faster, factor x more efficient processes and improved outcomes. Now we are officially “post-pandemic” and we realize these processes are here to stay. There is no going back. The world keeps changing – continued supply chain challenges, inflation, fear of recession, war in Europe…. Why do some specialty chemical companies in our industry choose digitalization to deal with the new opportunities and new threats?

About the Speaker

Christine received her BA in European pusiness Administration from Hendon Business School, London and her Dipl. Betriebswirt Europaeisches Studienprogramm Betriebswirtschaft from Reutlingen, and holds an Executive MBA from the University of Rhode Island. After her undergraduate studies, she was recruited as a management trainee of Hoechst AG in Frankfurt. Her “home division” produced FineChemicals, Textile Dyes and Organic Pigments. After four years of training in different departments and roles, Christine moved to the US as Marketing Manager Pigments for Plastics and was the Global Head for Pigments for Plastics when she left the organization after ten years. She attended her first CAD RETEC® in 1993, and still gravitates toward all that is colorful!

Christine has worked and lived in five countries on three continents and has held regional and global management roles at large and mid-size Specialty Chemical companies, including Hoechst/Clariant, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Engelhard/BASF. She is a Marketeer at heart. Her proudest accomplishments are her two children and colleagues who she was privileged to mentor and help grow through her experience.

Christine joined SpecialChem in July 2022 as global vice president. She had been a client and in awe of what “digital can do” since 2002. Her own experience in specialty chemical marketing gives her a unique understanding of the benefits and opportunities that digitalization offers.

Abstract

TBA

About the Speaker

Mark Ryan is the Marketing Manager for the Shepherd Color Company. Mark is responsible for market and product development for key technologies such as Arctic IR reflective pigments, the NTP Yellow and RTZ Orange high-performance pigments, along with Shepherd Color’s highly-durable and heat-stable standard pigments. Mark has spoken and been published around the world on the use of these problem-solving pigments for paints, coatings, plastics and other materials. He has been quoted in Bloomberg and the Harvard Business Review and he was profiled by the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. Mark has twice won the SPE CAD RETEC® Best Paper Award. He has been in the involved in high performance materials with various technical, sales and marketing roles for over 25 years and has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Saint Louis University and an MBA from the University of Missouri at St. Louis. His favorite color is blue.

Abstract

Global leading brands’ and governments’ initiatives that aim at boosting sustainability and keeping plastic within a circular economy and out of the environment are the driving forces behind the industry’s development of optimal solutions to boost sorting systems and recyclability processes.

Modern plastic recycling operations leverage high-tech processing equipment to move material at high speed with massive sorting capabilities to create the purest, least contaminated streams utilizing NIR (near infrared) signature, either in transmission or reflection.

Plastic recyclers face the challenge of accurately sorting black plastics, which are typically colored with carbon black colorants that do not reflect well in NIR sorting devices. Black polymers colored with carbon black absorb light emitted from the NIR spectrum and cannot be identified and sorted by this method, adding to the leftover stream of unsorted materials that end up in landfills.

Replacing carbon black to color food packaging with NIR reflecting pigment-based solutions that also provide the right shade and opacity whilst being approved by FDA 21 CRF 178.3297 and complying with the requirements established by EU 10/2011 regarding plastic packaging in contact with food is a major challenge for the pigments and color concentrates industry.

This paper reviews the most suitable pigment-based solutions available in the market to accomplish that goal.

About the Speaker

Daniel Lladó holds a Chemistry degree from the UB and a Master in Marketing from EADA both in Barcelona.

He started his professional career as technician in an R+D+I center focused on plastics (UPC – Barcelona).

In 2004, he joined Nubiola (later Ferro) and have been working in different technical and Marketing roles related to Plastics.

In 2022 he joined Vibrantz through Ferro acquisition.

Nowadays he is the Segment Market Manager for Plastics, as well as Product Manager for different pigments of Vibrantz’s portfolio.

Abstract

The mechanical recycling of metals from end-of-life vehicles (ELV) and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is widely developed. However, mixed plastics upcycling is a real challenge towards a circular plastics economy. In this context, Comet Traitements, Eloy Water and Certech are working together to the design of new end-products incorporating high-quality recycled plastics (PUR4UP project). This paper will present the upcycling process from plastics shredder residues (unfilled PP/PEHD) to thin industrial parts used in a wastewater treatment system.

Another complementary topic will cover the sorting of the ternary mixture ABS/PS/Filled PP in three high purity fractions to be reintegrated in the automotive and the EEE sectors (LIFE PlasPLUS project).

Plastics fractions from shredder residues are homogenized by extrusion and melt filtration after recovery and purification steps. A devolatilization can be applied during the compounding process to manage the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odours. Materials characterization by different techniques enables the optimization of the formulation and the adjustment of processing parameters in order to meet the specifications for the final application.

These developments resulted in the production of 100% recycled polyolefin prototype parts by injection molding for wastewater treatment systems. For the automotive and EEE sectors, recycled thermoplastics could be integrated at levels of at least 50% and up to 100% to produce high-quality compounds.

About the Speaker

Bénédicte Goffin holds a Master degree in Materials Engineering from the University of Louvain (Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium) as well as a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Namur (Belgium). She joined Certech (Seneffe, Belgium) in 1998 as Project Manager. With more than 20 years of experience in the field of polymer science, Bénédicte is leading several collaborative R&D projects at regional and European levels. This includes the scientific and financial management of public funded projects such as cross-border projects. Through these various innovative projects, Bénédicte specialized more particularly on topics related to biobased products, wood or natural fibers polymer composites, circular economy and plastics recycling.

Hervé Demoulin is Civil Engineer in Geology from University of Liège.

By Comet Traitements, he has over 17 years of experience in shredder residues recycling.

He is focused on the development of the Heavy Media Separation for non-ferrous metals pre-concentration as well the development of the plastics recycling from Shredder Residues. Comet Traitements S.A. is an innovative (a.o. ECOCIR prize 2016, EBAE 2016-2017 finalist) high-growth company, processing and recycling shredder residues (SR), the by-product of the shredding of metallic wastes (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment, End of Life Vehicles, collected scrap). In 2002, the company set up a strategy to minimize the disposal of its final waste to landfills. 20 years later, Comet Traitements succeeded to industrialize 10 post-shredder processes for the recovery of non-ferrous metals, minerals, iron oxides, precious metal, plastics, etc. Thanks to these technological developments, the recovery rate achieved outreached EC directives 2000/53 and 2002/96 recycling and valorization compliance targets while contributing towards critical raw materials access: a certified overall valorisation rate of over 97,8 %, shredder input in 2015.

Abstract

Milliken & Company, a diversified global manufacturer with more than 70 locations around the world, will highlight new measures to advance the circular economy through chemistry.

Milliken’s portfolio of advanced polyolefin additives is helping advance circularity in multiple ways.

• DeltaMax® performance modifiers for virgin polypropylene impact copolymers (ICPs) provides better impact performance with maximum melt flow properties in impact copolymer polypropylene. DeltaMax also helps converters reduce energy by running machines with faster cycle times or lower temperatures.
• DeltaMax performance modifiers for recycled polypropylene (PP) are unique in its ability to balance melt flow, impact strength, and stiffness to increase overall performance for recycled materials.

About the Speaker

Marta Sans Peña is a Technical Service and Development Engineer at Milliken’s Chemical Division where she provides technical service and development support to key customers in the polyolefin manufacturing and plastics processing industry. She works closely with resin producers and plastic converters to help customers understand the performance improvement, or process optimization, that can be achieved using Milliken’s products.

She joined Milliken in August 2020. Prior to joining Milliken Marta was at Trinseo as a Technical Service and Development Engineer and Supply Chain Manager. She began her career with Dow Chemicals in Spain in a variety of technical roles. Marta has a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona.

Abstract

Representatives of additives from natural resources (“Bioadditives”) have been used for many years e.g. as plasticizers, PVC heat stabilizers, lubricants, antifogging agents a.o.. However, the need for bioadditives is growing to replace traditional fossil based materials. The growth of biopolymers enforces the requests for natural based additives to offer fully biobased systems to the market. Circular economy and mechanical recycling are other drivers to use bioadditives increasingly. Natural based antioxidants are the developmental area of choice as these additives are important for nearly all classes of polymers and essential e.g. for polyolefins.

Phenolic antioxidant structures are omnipresent in nature and can be isolated from many plants. Vitamin E (“Tocopherol”) is the classical example of a naturally based primary antioxidant providing excellent processing stability. By using combinations of natural phenols e.g based on eugenol or ferulic acid efficient stabilizer alternatives to petrobased systems can be provided.

The presentation will give an overview on bio-based additives with focus on stabilizers and will show novel stabilizer concepts fully based on natural resources for polyolefins, biopolymers and recycled plastics.

About the Speaker

Rudolf Pfaendner studied chemistry at the University of Bayreuth in Germany and received his PhD in 1985 with a thesis on electrically conductive polymers.

During 25 years he held different positions in R&D at the specialty chemicals company “Ciba” inter alia as Global Head of Research for the business segment “Plastic Additives” and as Senior Research Fellow.

Rudolf is now Division Director Plastics of the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF and Honorary Professor at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany.

He has over thirty years of experience in polymer synthesis, plastics and coatings additives, stabilizers, recycling, reactive extrusion, nanocomposites, flame retardants and innovation management including numerous patents and publications.

Abstract

Though (EU) No 2020/1245 – the so-called, “15th Amendment” to (EU) No 10/2011 (The Regulation) – officially entered into force in September of 2020, it was written to allow two years for business operators to exhaust their stocks of materials which had already been declared to be in compliance with The Regulation prior to the 15th Amendment. Between this grace period and the official date of publication, the 15th Amendment shall be considered to be in full effect as of September 2nd, 2022. Included in an array of adjustments to declaring compliance of products expected to come into contact with food under Annex IV of The Regulation is the obligation of business operators who produce intermediate substances to provide adequate information about the migration of respective impurities and degradants for which genotoxicity has not otherwise been ruled out. Consequently; impurities and degradants of commonly used plastic additives which currently have ambiguous toxicological profiles must now be shown not to migrate to food or food simulant from the intermediate material(s) in which they exist at a rate of 0.00015 mg/kg (0.15 parts-per-billion). In light of this obligation, research has been conducted into the presence, detection of, and reporting on impurities and degradants of the prevalent plastic additive Anthranilamide (CAS No. 88-68-6). The degradants of Anthranilamide are representative of compounds which exhibit unknown toxicological status and are the epitome of the rationale for the inclusion of this concept in Annex IV of the 15th Amendment. The work presented in this paper sought to explore the challenges in adhering to the amended requirements in Annex IV of The Regulation insofar as how low the threshold of migration is set as well as options to consider for business operators producing intermediate compounds in the EU and the US who will both likely see increased demand for such declaration of compliance. As a subject, Anthranilamide is merely representative of all plastic additives that can give rise to degradants or which exhibit impurities that have unknown toxicological status and the ideas presented here are meant to be used generically in how best to navigate a new era of food contact plastics compliance requirements.

About the Speaker

1. Current Role Within the Plastics Industry
   • Regulatory/compliance specialist for colorants, adjuvants and impurities used or found in compounding with emphasis on food-contact materials
   • Food contact compliance testing consultant, technician and impurities researcher
2. Brief Professional Background
   • NIAS quantification method development manager
   • Extensive experience developing and conducting migration fastness studies
   • REACH sameness testing and dossier preparation manager
   • Liquid and ion chromatography specialist
   • Master of Science (MS) in Chemistry with focus on dyes and small organic molecules

About the SPE Additives & Color Europe Division

Technical Focus

It will be the purpose of Additives & Colors Europe (ACE) to stimulate and diffuse the knowledge of the modification and the coloration of plastics and polymers in Europe, and to provide a platform to the plastics additives and color community. ACE will encourage technical and scientific activities for advancement of plastics taking benefit from the use of dyes, colors, pigments, other modifiers and ionizing radiation, especially through studying their mutual interactions in polymeric systems.

About the Speaker

Sebastian achieved a degree for higher education for chemical engineering at the University of Applied Science Nuremberg.

During his years of study he gained professional experience at Siemens and Macrolab in Germany. His degree dissertation was titled “Silicone-free Adhesion of High-Performance Electronic Engineering”.

Since 2007, Sebastian has been with the Leistritz Extrusionstechnik GmbH as a chemical engineer. In 2011, he was appointed team manager of the Leistritz lab. His main responsibility include planning of trials and setting up extruders in terms of chemical engineering. As an expert in the field of extrusion he of course supports the sales team as well as customers. In 2013, he has been appointed Head of Process Technology, 2017 Product and Applications Manager.

Since 2020, he is responsible for all extrusion processes and applications at Leistritz Extrusion Technology in his function as Director Processing & Applications

Sebastian has been a speaker at various workshops and events of the plastics industry around the world.