A. Schulman’s representatives highlighted the usage of masterbatches for creating value-added properties in many agricultural and packaging applications in a speech delivered at the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Plastics Summit.
A speech was given at the Third GPCA Plastics Summit by Masterbatch EMEA’s Business Unit Director, Heinz-Willi Houben, and R&D Director, Tony Daponte. The summit was held from 3 to 5 April, 2012 in Dubai. The speech focused on the Masterbatches’ value-adding properties for use in applications like agricultural films, anti-fog and anti-static films, and stretch hoods for packaging.
Houben stated that the benefits of masterbatch materials when used in stretch hoods includes low energy needs, minimal use of film per pallet, and processing with high-speed, when compared to shrink film. Stretch hoods will not stick to the contents present inside the package. They are watertight, provide high speed, barcode visibility, weather stability and do not stick between pallets, when compared to stretch wrap, he added.
Anti-static masterbatches can be utilized in bubble wrap and shrink films, transparent films, plastic bottles and electronics packaging. Houben commented that the polymer gets an intrinsic anti-static feature through POLYSTAT permanent anti-static masterbatches, which avoids issues like electrostatic discharges, stickiness while handling and attraction.
The foods and other packaged products are protected from the adverse moisture effects with the help of POLYBATCH anti-fogging masterbatches. Daponte stated that these masterbatches remove condensed droplets of water, which can decrease the quality of the product, aesthetically and physically. The buyer may not be able to notice the contents inside the package due to moisture, he added.
Source: http://www.aschulman.com/