Additives may not be as big as machinery, but they play just as crucial a role in the plastics industry.
This is why the self-proclaimed "world No. 2" polymer stabiliser producer Songwon Industrial Co. is doing its bit to help the industry tackle sustainability issues.
At K 2019, held 16-23 Oct in Dusseldorf, Germany, the South Korean company presented a new concept surrounding recyclability of the so-called single-use plastics.
The concept, according to Elena Scaltritti, leader division industrial chemicals, is about upcycling polyolefins.
"We are discussing with customers a stabilidation system that can protect the polymer better and allow it to be recycled multiple times," the Songwon official added.
The concept already has recipes and data but has not yet been given a name as Songwon will need to further discuss the idea with customers, fine-tune and customise it.
"At Songwon, we see ourselves as an enabler of the circular economy and that's why we are introducing solutions for recycling too," Scaltritti added.
The company also introduced at K, SongXtend 2721, developed for extending the long-term thermal stability of recycled polypropylene.
The recycled plastics, according to Scaltritti, will be primarily used in the automotive sector, particularly the under-the-hood applications such as engine room covers, cable ducts and battery housing.
Songwon also launched an entire new family of flame-retardant synergists at this year's K.
The halogen-free Songflame range, according to Scaltritti, is a completely new platform which can be used in a broad range of applications, from foams to various polymers such as polyolefins, ABS and thermoplastic polyurethane.