Colloids Limited (Hall B4, Booth B4-4402) is co-exhibiting with Tosaf Group sister company Color-Service GmbH & Co. KG at the 25th Fakuma exhibition, which runs from 17- 21 October at the Messe Friedrichshafen in Germany. At Fakuma 2017, Colloids is launching two new specialty masterbatches for manufacturing HDPE geomembrane liners: MPE9D2203, a premium UV grade; and MPE9D2219, an economy liner grade. Geomembranes are primarily used for landfill liners and other solid waste containment, and for mining and water containment applications.
The new geomembrane masterbatches are the latest product innovation from Colloids’ R & D team of development technologists, following extensive research, testing and field trials. The premium UV grade, MPE9D2203, is carbon black based, developed for high performance HDPE geomembrane polymer liners needing long term UV weathering properties and high resistance to degradation. The lower cost geomembrane masterbatch grade, MPE9D2219, is aimed at less demanding geomembrane applications where UV resistance is not critical.
Colloids’ new geomembrane grades are formulated with a high quality stabilization system which uses specially selected additives to minimize elevated temperature oxidation degradation. The resulting benefits include offering producers greater processing flexibility and a higher confidence level that extruded sheets will consistently be within specification, while also providing a longer service life for installed geomembranes. David Helm, senior development technologist for Colloids, with over 25 years of experience in plastics and masterbatch R & D explained: “A major geomembrane linings producer set us the difficult technical challenge of developing a new HDPE specialty masterbatch, which would not only provide higher end use performance, but also provide production benefits such as more latitude in the processing window. We achieved all these objectives, and validated our new masterbatch technology by carrying out specified HDPE geomembrane tests, as well as getting positive customer feedback after sheet extrusion processing trials”.
According to the Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI) GM13 test methods for HDPE geomembranes, the Colloids’ new MPE9D2203 premium UV grade black masterbatch averaged 180 minutes Standard Oxidative Induction Time (OIT), which is 80% above the minimum required OIT of 100 minutes (as per ASTM D3895, min avg. 5 samples). The more demanding Retained OIT after 90 days at 85 0C test recorded 70% retention of OIT results, outperforming current market leading grades in comparative testing. Later this year additional grades will be added for PP geosynthetic polymers, and to offer even higher UV performance.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Colloids is a leading manufacturer of high quality coloured and black specialty compounds, additives and bespoke masterbatches, with proven colour matching capabilities and technical masterbatch expertise in extrusion, injection and blow moulding. All Colloids’ masterbatches offer manufacturers cost and quality benefits such as rapid dispersion, homogeneous mixing, and high extrusion throughput rates.
Colloids now supplies internationally in Asia from its production facilities in China. Being part of the market leading multinational Tosaf Group, it also has overseas links to sister companies in Germany, Turkey, The Netherlands, Israel and the USA, offering a global service to the plastics industry for colour, blacks, additive and special effect masterbatches. The same colour match service is available worldwide from centres in Europe, USA and Asia, all equipped with identical colour matching machines exactly calibrated to guarantee consistency from any location.
Colloids has automotive industry ISO/TS 16949 accreditation, with its manufacturing sites having ISO 9001 and 14001 approvals, and works closely with OEM manufacturers in bespoke colour matching and the development of plastic component colours and special effects for the automotive industry worldwide.