Positive Impact on Carbon Footprint

Packaging producers and brand owners seeking to achieve sustainability goals and reduce costs have expressed strong interest in the latest Hydrocerol chemical foaming agents (CFAs) developed by Clariant's Masterbatches division. Through finer and more durable foam cell structures, these agents enable reduction in resin consumption and part weight without significant loss of mechanical properties. Hydrocerol chemical foaming additive masterbatches play a significant role in Clariant's initiative to help packaging producers develop more sustainable containers by increasing recyclability and reusability, promoting the use of compostable and bio-based polymers, and reducing total plastic content. During processing, Hydrocerol chemical foaming agents added to plastics decompose when pressure decreases as the resin enters or exits the mold or extrusion die, creating bubbles in the polymer matrix. Since gas replaces the polymer, less plastic is used in bottle production. Material usage reductions of 10 percent or higher have been reported in single-layer and co-extruded bottles and preforms. Additionally, as the CFA plasticizes the resin in the processing machine, less heat is required to melt the resin (energy savings); less heat will be drawn during cooling, so cycle times are also reduced (typically 10–15 percent). Hydrocerol masterbatches are sold in the form of mini pellets. Mini pellets, whose size is less than half that of standard pellets, enable achievement of more homogeneous and finer foam structure at low dosages. This allows the additive to be diluted more precisely and ensures that each bottle weighs approximately the same.