SONGWON showcases its approach to mechanical recycling at K 2022

Publishing date: 19.10.2022

At the K 2022, Songwon Industrial Co., Ltd., the world’s 2nd largest manufacturer of polymer stabilizers and a key global player in the specialty chemicals business is showcasing its latest mechanical recycling stabilization approach for polyolefins (POs) and reaffirming its drive to deliver sustainable solutions to the industry.

With the emphasis on sustainability continually growing, mechanical recycling of PCR (post-consumer recycled) has become an essential process in the circular economy that demands more sophisticated technologies. To address the rapidly increasing demand for sustainable solutions related to design, performance, recycling and lifecycle of plastics, SONGWON is making a significant contribution to the mechanical recycling industry with its range of re-stabilization antioxidants, presented at K 2022.

SONGWON has adopted a pragmatic approach to solving recycling challenges and focused on sustaining the properties of most PCR plastics through re-stabilization. Although antioxidants are not generally used in the post-consumer recycling (PCR) of polyolefins, SONGWON’s family of SONGNOX® Binary Blends (primary and secondary antioxidants) was specially evaluated for the mechanical recycling of polyolefins. SONGWON’s blends improve processing as well as long-term thermal stability and, in this way, make it possible for mechanical recyclers to offer improved, cost-efficient recycling resins. 

“When no stabilizers are added during processing, the melt-flow characteristics of mechanically recycled polypropylene change rapidly, sometimes so drastically that it results in poor processing and the loss of mechanical properties. In such situations re­ stabilization is recommended,” explains Thomas Schmutz, Leader Global Technical Service, Testing & Application Development. “SONGWON's Binary Blends work surprisingly well in the mechanical recycling of polyolefins, are generally sufficient to protect the polymer during processing and subsequently lead to better quality and cost efficiency.”