The industry has long accepted the fact that antiblock additive addition imposes a penalty on clarity of film optics. However, a new additive masterbatch introduced by Ampacet does the opposite. Ampacet from USA has developed an antiblocking additive masterbatch designated as 102286 for LLDPE film, which, when incorporated in LLDPE, produces clearer film than that produced from the base LLDPE grade. A high-clarity slip antiblock additive masterbatch, it eliminates the loss in clarity that often accompanies antiblock additive use by raising film clarity well above that of the base resin.

Pilot plant tests have shown that this new additive masterbatch makes film as much as 65% clearer than the base polymer and improves gloss by as much as 50%. Its unique action derives from the cooperative effects of proprietary antiblocking, clarifying and amide slip components. By greatly improving film clarity and gloss, it gives customers what they have long asked for and lets them create more compelling products. Its effect on clarity can also reduce the need to blend LDPE into LLDPE and hence can lower raw material costs. It has excellent slip and antilock properties, so less of it is often needed compared to other antiblock additives, hence usage can lower costs.

The mineral-based antiblock in Ampacet 102286 has a narrow particle size distribution and uniquely spherical particles that have much less impact on haze than the irregular particles normally found in these agents. The particles also have a low porosity, so they have lower tendencies to absorb other additives and a low level of impurities. The various components in this additive masterbatch work together to produce enhanced results. In addition to improving clarity and gloss, it also elevates LLDPE film crystallization temperature. The laboratory results at 2% usage level increases LLDPE crystallization temperature by about 7-8%. This effect allows film lines to run hotter and thus at higher speed. The faster crystallization also plays a role in the gloss improvement by creating smaller and more uniform crystals.