Extrusion International 5-2016

t K 2016, LANXESS’s Rhein Chemie Additives (ADD) busi-

ness unit is showcasing its organic Macrolex Gran colo-

rants for the brilliant coloring of amorphous and

semicrystalline plastics. Thanks to their microgranule form, the

colorants compare extremely favorably with powders and

compact granules owing to their excellent dispersion and pro-

cessing properties and safe handling. Macrolex microgranules

consist of hollow spheres that can be very easily crushed,

which means they can be quickly, evenly and completely dis-

tributed and incorporated into the plastic. The excellent pro-

cessability of the product is due to the fact that the hollow

spheres comprise particularly small primary particles of bet-

ween around two and ten micrometers depending on the

color. The good free-flowing properties of the 0.3-millimeter

spheres make precise metering easier and prevent clumping

in the mixing process. The four times higher bulk density com-

pared with powder pays dividends in processing, transport and

storage alike. In addition, the granules make an important

contribution to occupational safety and environmental pro-

tection. Containers can be completely emptied, for example.

Dust development in the processing of Macrolex Gran is much

less than with powders. This means there is a considerably re-

duced risk of dust explosion, and expenses for protective mea-

sures and facility cleaning can be considerably reduced.

The design of Macrolex Gran is such that on the one hand its

hollow spheres are big enough to hardly form dust and on the

other the much smaller particle size compared to powder en-

ables rapid and complete solution dissolving in the plastic.

Owing to its good metering and dispersion properties Macro-

lex Gran is primarily used for processing in the extruder and on

the injection molding machine. The colorants are soluble in or-

ganic solvents and are highly suitable for coloring amorphous

and semicrystalline plastics such as PS, PET, PC, ABS and

PMMA. In the final article Macrolex Gran impresses through its

high color intensity and brilliance and good thermal stability,

weather resistance and lightfastness. Important fields of ap-

plication for Macrolex Gran include the coloration of food pak-

kaging such as PET bottles and the coloration of children’s

toys, since the colorants also meet the stringent purity requi-

rements of these applications.

Hall 6, Booth C76

➠ www.lanxess.com

Covestro:

creating value added with plastics

2016 in Düsseldorf marks the first time that Covestro, for-

merly Bayer MaterialScience, is appearing at the show

under its new name. The company responds to key trends

with its innovative and sustainable material solutions, coura-

geously going beyond existing limits in its efforts to make the

world a brighter place. Visitors to this premier gathering for

the global plastics industry can find examples on display at

Covestro's Stand: Products and technologies for the automo-

tive, building and electronics industries, but also new and un-

expected applications in the fields of health, cosmetics, sports

and fashion.

“Through our continuous development to deliver more su-

stainable products and processes, we aim to address many of

the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United

Nations last year,” said Covestro CEO Patrick Thomas to jour-

nalists. “Our main objective is to drive energy efficiency, im-

prove people's lives and create value, while at the same time

reducing our own use of fossil resources. But developments of

this kind are impossible without intensive and targeted inno-

vation.”

The world has tremendous challenges to master. The agenda

of UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is wide ranging,

going from fighting poverty and hunger, to securing the glo-

bal energy supply, all the way to preserving the environment

and our natural resources. Of central importance in this con-

text is

climate protection and reaching the targets defined at the

COP21, the Paris Climate Change Conference.

LANXESS:

high-tech microgranules

for brilliant colors

Hall 6, Booth A75

➠ www.covestro.com

Extrusion International 5/2016