WACKER Presents New VINNEX® Additives for Enhanced Bioplastics

Polyvinyl-acetate-based additive optimizes processing and property profile of biopolyester

WACKER, the Munich-based chemical group, will be introducing novel VINNEX® polymer grades for bioplastic compounds at the 20th International Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber (K 2016). The new additives can considerably enhance the processing and property profile of biopolyesters or blends with starch. For example, VINNEX® 2526 greatly simplifies the manufacture of highly transparent, rigid polylactic acid (PLA) films. The VINNEX® 2522, 2523 and 2525 products significantly improve processing and heat-sealing properties in paper coating with PLA or PBS (polybutylene succinate). VINNEX® 8880 optimizes the flow properties in the melt for injection-molding applications and 3D printing, so that temperature-sensitive and complex items can also readily be produced and energy can even be saved during processing. K 2016 will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from October 19 to 26, 2016.

WACKER will be introducing novel VINNEX® polymer grades for bioplastic compounds at the 20th International Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber K 2016. The new additives can considerably enhance the processing and property profile of biopolyesters or blends with starch. VINNEX®-Products are avaible as microgranulate, granulate or powder.

VINNEX®
WACKER will be introducing novel VINNEX® polymer grades for bioplastic compounds at the 20th International Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber K 2016. The new additives can considerably enhance the processing and property profile of biopolyesters or blends with starch. VINNEX®-Products are avaible as microgranulate, granulate or powder.

The polyvinyl-acetate-based grades of WACKER’s VINNEX® product line now make the production of highly transparent, biodegradable PLA and/or PBS films better and easier. The addition of VINNEX® 2526, for example, optimizes both melt and bubble stability during the respective extrusion processes. Blister packs can be produced at lower temperatures and with a more uniform thickness distribution. Moreover, VINNEX® further enhances the already good printability of biopolyester films. In paper cups with PLA or PBS, the additive optimizes the water-repellent coating, so that the cups are in no way inferior to their polyethylene-film counterparts.

During processing, the low-molecular VINNEX® 2523 and VINNEX® 2522 grades increase the initial adhesion of the PLA film to paper. In addition, WACKER’s additives improve the heat-sealing properties, so that a particularly strong bond forms between the paper and PLA. With the aid of certain VINNEX® grades, film-coated paper cups can thus also be composted and recycled more readily – making them a more sustainable end product despite their single use.

The WACKER additives can optimize items produced by injection molding or 3D printing, too. New VINNEX® 8880 enhances the flow properties of the polymer melt, for example. Since this lowers the viscosity, heat-sensitive or highly complex items can also be manufactured. At the same time, more fillers – such as cellulose fibers, starch or inorganic fillers – can be incorporated into the melt.

 

About VINNEX® for Bioplastics

Bioplastics, in particular biopolyester, are highly promising, sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products. They are based on renewable raw materials and, ideally, biodegradable. They still only account for around two percent of plastics, but their annual growth rate now averages at 20 percent (CAGR), according to the nova-Institute. Especially in packaging, many end products – such as films, blister packs, bags or shaped trays – can be made from biobased polymers or polymer blends. VINNEX®, a polyvinyl-acetate-based additive from WACKER, not only allows biopolyester and other additives to be combined more readily, it also optimizes their processing and property profile. Furthermore, these high-performance blends can be processed using conventional machines. VINNEX® significantly expands the processing and application range of biopolyesters. WACKER sells its VINNEX® products as microgranules, granules or powders.

Source

Wacker Chemie, press release, 2016-10-19.

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