CESA-nucleant masterbatches for clear PP applications

Clariant aims to meet the current high demand for clear PP packaging with its expanded line of CESA-nucleant masterbatches designed to improve the performance of homopolymer, random, and copolymer polypropylenes for clear packaging applications. Since many resin suppliers have reduced the availability of compounded polypropylene resin grades, these latest, easy-to-use formulations give processors a flexible, affordable, alternative way to get the modified materials they need.

Demand for clear polypropylene packaging has increased sharply worldwide as food producers recognize the transparency, cost, weight, and heat-tolerance advantages of clear PP relative to PET for rigid packaging of microwaveable and convenience foods. Meeting this demand, however requires the use of nucleating agents to overcome two common polypropylene processing problems – haziness and dimensional instability.

The latest CESA-nucleant formulations contain the nucleating and clarifying technology essential to solving these problems. With them, processors no longer need to source and manage modified polypropylene supplies from resin producers or custom compounders. Instead, they can simply add concentrated, pelletized CESA-nucleant masterbatches into natural polypropylene resin just prior to processing.

"Many global resin producers have trimmed their product portfolios by eliminating modified materials, including polypropylenes, in favor of "neat" (additive-free) resins," according to Peter Prusak, Clariant Head of Marketing for North America. He stressed that Clariant's CESA-nucleant masterbatches offer processors an alternative to the costs of acquiring and managing custom compounded material for the production of clearer polypropylene packaging.

CESA-nucleant masterbatches are available in standard or custom formulations designed for clarification and/or nucleation. Nucleating agents improve processing by helping polypropylenes to run at lower temperatures and fuse more quickly, so parts can be removed from the mold sooner and cycle times can be reduced.