- The use of diazocarbonamide-free masterbatch avoids the health risks associated with its handling.
- Delta Tecnic is working on a masterbatch composed of plant-based raw materials to support manufacturers in their environmental strategy.
Barcelona, May 5th 2022 — Delta Tecnic, a technology partner specialised in masterbatch for the cable and PVC industry, highlights the latest technological developments related to the PVC pipe industry. This versatile material is a benchmark in the global pipe market thanks to its favourable properties. Delta Tecnic highlights how the new generation of masterbatch will help the future of this sector through innovative applications that will reinforce the environmental and sustainability strategy of manufacturers.
For context, the global PVC pipe market reached a volume of 22.5 million tonnes in 2021 and is expected to reach 29.7 million tonnes (+4.47% annually) by 2027, according to market analysis firm IMARC Group. In view of this forecast, Delta Tecnic defines a series of advantages that the new masterbatches are bringing to this sector in favour of a more modern, efficient and sustainable production.
A masterbatch that avoids foaming toxicity
Some PVC pipes have a foaming layer to make them lighter and improve their properties. This has caused an almost historic challenge, as foaming is commonly done using diazocarbonamide (ACDA), a chemical that is under pressure because of the health risks associated with its usage. To mitigate this problem, Delta Tecnic is introducing a new diazocarbonamide-free masterbach on the market.
Cleaner and more efficient pipe manufacturing
On the other hand, part of the pipe market is used to working with pigments when colouring their products. In this case, Delta Tecnic, given its experience as a manufacturer of dyes, offers its masterbatch as an alternative to achieve greater cleanliness of the installations and, therefore, a reduction in the time dedicated to this task. What does this mean? In an improvement in the efficiency of the production units using pigments. In this sense, Delta Tecnic estimates that the cleaning time of the turbomixer is reduced by 80% when using masterbatch instead of pigments.
Homogeneous colours with small masterbatches
Some pipe manufacturers are already opting for the use of masterbatch instead of conventional pigments. To optimise the colour homogeneity of products, Delta Tecnic has a masterbatch called Small Micropellet (SMP), which is 35% smaller than the conventional grain. Through this reduced particle size, it is possible to generate much more regular colours with a very high demand on dilution level and colour regularity, resulting in a final product of the highest quality.
More recyclable PVC with a lower carbon footprint
The pipe sector is seeking to reduce its environmental impact through alternatives where the raw material comes from biomass. In this context, Delta Tecnic is already defining the manufacture of a masterbatch composed of raw materials of plant origin to accompany PVC manufacturers on the road to reducing their carbon footprint. The switch from petroleum distillation monomers to a forest-based raw material helps to reduce the carbon footprint by 90%.
In parallel, it is worth remembering that the full recyclability of PVC means that the environmental footprint of pipes is smaller than that of alternative pipe materials. PVC has the advantage of remaining in use for a long period of time before entering the waste stream; its lifetime can range from 30 to 100 years for pipes, according to VinylPlus. However, when it comes to the end, it can be recycled. In fact, PVC is one of the most recycled plastics historically and has the most advanced level of mechanical recycling. The latest VinylPlus survey of 2019 data shows that the pipe industry is the third largest user of recycled PVC.