Stabilising additives, including antioxidants and ultraviolet (UV) light stabilisers, are key to increasing the durability of plastics products, which directly impacts sustainability. Antioxidants protect the polymer from oxidation during processing, use, or reprocessing during recycling. Light stabilisers protect the polymer from degradation catalysed by light in indoor or outdoor use. The formulation is highly dependent on the end-use application and the conditions in which the plastic is expected to survive.

Additive suppliers have developed new antioxidants and UV stabilisers designed to protect thermoplastics compounds for challenging applications in a variety of markets, including agriculture and packaging.

Read the full article