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BIODEGRADABLE PERFORMANCE PLASTICISERS
‘DIOPLEX’ POLYESTER POLYOLS
INTRODUCTION
Whether you, the processor, are formulating PVC, Rubber, Acrylics, PVA Emulsions and many other polymers, Polymeric plasticisers (polyester polyols) are ideally poised to satisfy the demand for products with a high degree of biodegradability. These products cause minimal environmental damage yet without compromises on performance.
The definition surrounding ‘environmentally-friendly’ or ‘green’ plasticisers will continue to be an issue for the industry. Additives such as Hyperlast’s range of ‘DIOPLEX’ plasticisers add an environmental dimension to what has been traditionally a simple trade-off between the performance of a product and its cost. Tried and tested over many decades, ‘DIOPLEX’ polymeric plasticisers give processors the security of a high biodegradability factor, the measurement of the ultimate fate of a product.
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PROPERTIES
Biodegradable additives such as ‘DIOPLEX’ plasticisers combine several desirable traits into easy to use, performance products for a variety of end-uses and polymers:
| High degree of Biodegradability (low environmental profile) |
| No labelling issues |
| Ease of logistics |
| Excellent performance |
| Food Contact approvals (both EU and F&DA) |
| Many low viscosity, high efficiency products |
BIODEGRADABILITY
Biodegradability is typically measured via the internationally-recognised OECD301B (Modified Sturm) test (ASTM D 5864 in USA), the same test employed by the Lubricants industry to determine whether a product is quickly biodegradable in the wider environment. Simply put:
• If the product biodegrades more than 60% within the 28-day test period then the product can be considered – and is classified - as ‘Biodegradable’.
• If the product biodegrades within the window of the first 10 days it can be classified as ‘Readily Biodegradable’, at the top of the biodegradabilty range.
• As a benchmark, Vegetable Oils are said to 95-100% biodegradable and therefore have virtually no adverse environmental effect, even over a short period time.
EXCELLENT LOGISTICS, STORAGE & HANDLING
Polymeric plasticisers also offer the processor a relief from the constraints imposed on some other classes of plasticisers:
| No UN classification code for transport by truck, rail or air |
| No labelling issues |
| No specialist storage requirements |
| No issues with worker safety |
| No requirement to label the end-product |
| Exceptionally long shelf life |
WIDE FOOD CONTACT APPROVALS
In addition to the above advantages, many ‘DIOPLEX’ polymeric plasticisers allow processors to use the products in end-uses that require either EU or F&DA approvals. Almost half the ‘DIOPLEX’ range complies with European Directive 2002/72/EC and sections of F&DA 175.300, both extensively quoted world-wide. A range of performance products are available to satisfy the most demanding applications.
Many other industries - such as Elastomers, Polyester and other polymers - also require similar approvals and customers should check local and international legislation requirements as well as with Hyperlast personnel.
HIGH EFFICIENCY PRODUCTS
The plasticising power of some polyadipates is now of a similar degree (or greater) than that of DEHP or DINP in addition to manageable viscosities. The result of this is that polymerics are being considered increasingly in lower viscosity applications as the list of newer polymerics grows.
LOW VISCOSITY PRODUCTS
The handleability of the newer generation of ‘DIOPLEX’ products allows processors to extend their usage into areas that would previously have been unthinkable. There are at least 10 products on the ‘DIOPLEX’ range for use partially or wholly in applications requiring low viscosity and new products are being added on a regular basis.
STABLE PRODUCTS OVER TIME
Careful selection of ‘DIOPLEX’ products allows PVC paste processors to use and re-use their plastisols over a period of 28 days with minimum changes in the viscosity of the pastes. Not only this but ‘DIOPLEX’ have a particularly long drum shelf life if stored unopened and in good condition.
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APPLICATIONS
The capacity of a raw material to biodegrade at the end of its life cycle is recognised as a desirable trait in the chemical industry. However, those companies specifically seeking biodegradability in a plasticiser as an integral part of their biodegradable polymer may find a solution in DIOPLEX polyester polyols.
DIOPLEX polyester polyols are particularly versatile with the Hyperlast range covering an extensive gamut of viscosities and Mw. Because of their multifaceted nature they will suit most injection moulding processes whilst extrusion (whether thin gauge or end-uses requiring thicker flexible product) and calendering are also well covered. Plastisol / Organosol applications are similarly provided for with a wide variety of low viscosity products designed with such processes in mind. As Polyester Polyols also offer Cold-Flex properties as well as a high 'Closed Cup' profile, processors may not need to compromise on high performance when seeking plasticisers with a 'biodegradable' tag.
In addition to their potential for a high degree of biodegradability, their benign environmental profile make these esters attractive: many of the products are classified under F&DA 175.300 categories and also EU Directive 2002/72/EC, the Principle Directive for Plastic Materials and Articles coming into Contact with Food. Together with their easy storage and transport plus excellent handleability in the workplace the DIOPLEX range offers an almost unparalleled profile. With the use of biodegradable plastics still in an embryonic stage, Hyperlast are committed to working to develop products and chemistry to provide these exciting polymers with the tools to make them increasingly attractive to end users.
Hyperlast's strength lies in investment; in production, research, testing, training, and most importantly, in its customers. Hyperlast's ability to work in partnership with customers has resulted in several achievements including the Queen's Award for Technological Achievement.
This company continues to succeed because of its valuable heritage of unique information and expertise has been created as the company recruited, trained and developed its own calibre of technical specialists. Hyperlast is able to draw on this wealth of knowledge to respond to individual needs.
As a result, Hyperlast is an industrious and thriving organisation with enthusiasm and flexibility to meet today's challenges with a complete customer focus.
Teams of specialists are committed to achieve innovative solutions with a practical dimension to ensure that projects are quickly progressed from ideas to manufacture. Hyperlast's commitment to customers is underlined by emphasis on quality. This is achieved through by attainment of industry standards. Hyperlast is an ISO 9001 and QS-9000 approved company.
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