Plastics Additives & Compounding - the online magazine for the community of compounders, materbatchers and users of plastics additives.

Latest News

ColorMatrix improves PET barrier properties
ColorMatrix has introduced new Amosorb high performance PET barrier technology.
Huntsman rings changes
Huntsman Advanced Materials has a new global management team.
Smithers Rapra appoints new business manager
Mike Nichols has been appointed business manager – Physical Testing for independent polymer consultants Smithers Rapra.
New director for Dutch compounder
Frank Heinen has been appointed commercial director at Transmare Compounding in Roermond, The Netherlands.
Board changes at Clariant
Clariant has made changes to its executive committee.

Implementing REACH - the challenges ahead
The European Parliament has adopted the proposals for the registration, evaluation and authorization of chemicals. Plastics Additives & Compounding reports on what is now required to comply with REACH.
Members' Content
Putting it to the test - polymer analysis in the laboratory
Research and development and quality control rely heavily on accurate analytical measurements. Now identifying recycled materials and verifying compliance for increasingly stringent regulations are also proving just as important areas for polymer analysis. Jennifer Markarian reports on some of the major issues in analytical techniques in the laboratory.
Mineral modifiers take on new roles
Minerals used as fillers in plastic compounds have traditionally been used to reduce material costs by replacing a portion of the polymer with a less expensive material. However, nowadays many functional fillers or mineral modifiers are required to modify processing characteristics or finished part properties. Many are now also being used to reduce the level of more expensive additives such as pigments, flame retardants and impact modifiers. Jennifer Markarian reports on the changing face of fillers.
Advances in PVC heat and light stabilization
Stabilizers play a key role in the PVC industry, where the market is driven by both regulatory and cost-performance issues. Jennifer Markarian reviews some of the latest developments in heat and light stabilization for PVC.