Working with Industry leading producers of white masterbatch, FP-Pigments have developed a 60% Opacity Pigment™ Additive masterbatch for the use of end converters. By replacing a portion (5% to 30%) of the TiO2 masterbatch with some of this new additive the user can maintain optical performance and benefit from reduced costs, reduced carbon footprint and hence improved product sustainability.
This work has been reproduced and the results confirmed by commercial additive manufacturers leading to the development of new commercial opacity additive masterbatches.
Making your own 60% Opacity Pigment™ Masterbatch
Extensive testing has shown that manufacturing a 60% FP-Opacity Pigment™ masterbatch is very straight forward. Initial development of the 60% masterbatch was made with LDPE resin (Melt 20) using a Prism TSE 24 twin screw extruder set at 250rpm and with a temperature profile as shown opposite.
Film Results
Blending the 60% Opacity Pigment™ additive masterbatch with a 60% TiO2 masterbatch and virgin polymer to give a 2% overall dilution (and a reduction of TiO2 from 10 to 20%) produces 50µm films with a similar optical (opacity and colour) performance.
Moulding Results
Utilising the 60% Opacity Pigment™ Masterbatch in blends used for injection and blow mouldings can easily help reduce the TiO2 content by between 10 and 30%.
FP-Opacity Pigment™ Grades for 60% Additive Masterbatches
FP-590 standard grade containing 20% TiO2, 80% PCC and surface treated with stearic acid
FP-545 economical grade containing 10% TiO2, 90% PCC and surface treated with stearic acid
FP-550 legacy grade containing 20% TiO2, 80% PCC and surface treated with TMP
FP-530 standard grade containing 20% TiO2, 80% PCC and no surface treatment
The above image is an example of a calculating tool produced by FP-Pigments to allow end converters to see the cost and carbon footprint benefits achievable when using an Opacity Pigment™ masterbatch. (click image to enlarge)
Cost and Carbon Footprint Benefits
Utilising the Opacity Pigment™ Additive Masterbatch in blends with traditional TiO2 masterbatches (50, 60 and 70% TiO2) can help to reduce production costs and carbon footprint while maintaining product performance.
Commercial Cooperation
While FP-Pigments do not, themselves, produce or market any masterbatch products, we do work in co-operation with masterbatch suppliers to allow them to offer 60% Opacity Pigment™ additive masterbatches to their customers.
We are delighted to announce that Vilkritis are manufacturing and marketing an Opacity Pigment™ Additive masterbatch. Samples of the additive masterbatch and further information can be obtained through contact with Jesús Lanzat Benítez, (Procurement and Sales of Polymers), at Vilkritis
Head Office: Granito st. 7, LT-00241 Vilnius, Lithuania
Contact: Jesús Lanzat Benítez (jesus.lanzat@vilkritis.com)
For more information about Opacity Pigment™ Additive Masterbatch and Vilkritis contact jesus.lanzat@vilkritis.com