Milliken to double capacity for PP clarifying agent at Blacksburg

30-Apr-14

US plastics additives supplier Milliken plans to double production capacity for the “Millad” NX 8000 clarifying agent for polypropylene at its Allen facility in Blacksburg, South Carolina by 2015. The unquantified investment will include an additional redundant manufacturing line, which the company said will “ensure ample global supply.” As per PlastEurope, the capacity upgrade underscores the company’s intention to remain a leading global player, said Allen Jacoby, vice president, Plastics Additives. Jacoby said the fast adoption of the Millad NX 8000 technology over traditional clarifiers has been driven by the material’s cleaner, fresher look and inherent sustainability, along with its improved solubility that enables clarified PP to be processed at cooler temperatures. This, the company claims, enables energy savings of up to 13%, with cycle times accelerated up to 18% and carbon emissions reduced by as much as 13%. Milliken said the clarifying agent allows manufacturers to replace high-density resins such as PC, PS and PET with lower-density PP to reduce costs and weight and help the environment.