Clariant making PA6 and PA66 additives fit for reuse

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As announced in June, Clariant is taking action to tackle the challenge of plastic pollution with new solutions and proactive steps to create a more sustainable plastics industry through a ‘Symphony of Collaboration’.

Clariant is supporting the industry with environmentally compatible solutions and in designing materials and products which are easier to separate, recover, and reuse. One approach includes improving additives and making them fit for re-use while avoiding material performance degradation.

Fraunhofer LBF confirms that PA6 and PA66 engineering plastics containing Clariant’s halogen-free flame retardant Exolit OP maintain their UL 94 V-0 rating, even when recycled back into production streams multiple times.

Even under the assumption that plastics could be re-designed to a large extent to better fit to recycling, contaminants and additives could be accumulated in the material over several mechanical recycling cycles and might lead to poor performance or even health risks. Choosing Exolit OP as a flame retardant is a safer and an environmentally superior option compared to legacy brominated flame retardants. Its use is even more relevant considering the rise in demand for PA66 engineering plastics.

Stephan Lynen, Head of BU Additives, Clariant, said: “As the industry shifts towards a circular economy, any contribution we make to recyclable plastics that improves automotive waste management will support OEMs in selecting lighter weight and sustainable materials. With Exolit OP, OEMs can be confident of a flame retarded PA for their application which is recyclable and safe.”

Electric vehicles have specific material and safety requirements. Because of the high energy content of the battery and the high voltages and currents employed, not only flammability is a risk but also electrical arcing, which can lead to fire. Furthermore, the ‘signal orange’ colour for high-voltage parts can be a challenge to achieve and maintain, especially for polyamides, in under-the-hood conditions.

Confirmation from the Fraunhofer LBF Institute that Exolit OP continues to deliver consistent fire is a further boost. Post-industrial waste of glass fibre-reinforced polyamide containing Exolit OP provides manufacturers with a genuine alternative to new material.

Additives can ensure that mechanical performance is not affected, meaning that internally recycled waste or regrind material can be used to produce the same applications without the need to downcycle.

Exolit OP is not subject to ecodesign application restrictions covering the recycling of plastics, which limits the use of halogenated flame retardants in enclosures and stands of electronic displays.

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