IrgaCycle™ PS 032 G is an additive composition of stabilizers to improve processing and long-term thermal stability of recycled polyolefin recyclates, that show heavy degradation or were the initial plastic was exposed to aggressive substances like acids.

This ingredient is tailored for strongly degraded recycled PP and HDPE materials, e.g., from long term applications or materials with exposure to aggressive substances like acids (e.g., battery cases). It is suitable for addition into re-granulation or conversion steps.

Addresses the following recycling challenges:

• Depleted initial stabilizer packages
• Presence of pre-oxidized polymer chains and low molecular weight oxidation products
• High load of acidic contaminants
• Contamination with prooxdative species like metal ions
• Insufficient shelf life

Depending on the residual stabilizer content, quality, and oxidation state of the recyclate material, IrgaCycle® PS 032 G is recommended in quantities from 0.2 to 1.0 %.

Features & Benefits

• Enables smooth blending of recyclate with virgin material
• Can reduce odour development originating from degradation
• Tailored to balance out ineffective stabilization systems
• Re-establishes process stability and enhances melt flow properties
• Outperforms standard stabilizer system which may be inactivated when exposed to aggressive substances
• Enhances processing and long-term stability of strongly degraded or contaminated recycled HDPE and PP fractions (source: crates, waste bins, battery cases)

Performance Data

Stable Processing of rHDPE

Processing stability

• rHDPE, extrusion grade
• Post-consumer
• Multi-pass extrusion at 270°C
• Melt Flow Rate (MFR) measured after compounding (0x) and 1, 3, and 5 extrusions

IrgaCycle™ PS 032 G stabilizes rHDPE during processing and mitigates chain scission.

Conventional solution detrimental to processing stability of recyclate. IrgaCycle™ PS 032 G outperforms conventional solution and provides sufficient stability. 

Improving Durability of rHDPE

Long-term stability

• Post-consumer
• Oven aging of compression molded plaques at 120°C
• Days until breaking measured after bending

IrgaCycle™ PS 032 G efficiently improves durability of recycled post-consumer HDPE.

Long-term Stabilization of rPP in Pipe Applications

Long-term stability

• rPP, pipe grade
• Post-consumer
• Oven aging of 2 mm injection molded plaques at 135°C
• Days until embrittlement

IrgaCycle™ PS 032 G significantly improves thermal stability of rPP compared to unstabilized material. 

Conventional solution performs inferior to IrgaCycle™ PS 032 G in recyclate. 

Process Stability for Heterogenous Material

Processing stability

• rHDPE:rPP (95:5) bottle grade
• Post-consumer
• Multi-pass extrusion at 240°C
• MFR measured after compounding (0x), 1, 3, and 5 extrusion

IrgaCycle™ PS 032 G maintains MFR of recycled polyolefin mixture over multiple extrusions. 

Conventional solution exhibits no effect on processing stability of recyclate. IrgaCycle™ PS 032 G outperforms conventional solution and provides sufficient stability.

Long-term Stabilization of rPP from Battery Cases

Long-term stability

• rPP from battery cases
• Post-consumer
• Oven aging of 2 mm injection molded plaques at 140°C
• Comparison of tensile impact strength over time

IrgaCycle™ PS 032 G maintains mechanical integrity of material over time, with significant improvements over non-restabilized material.

Long-term Stabilization of rPP from Battery Cases

Long-term stability

• rPP from battery cases
• Post-consumer
• Brabender mixer at 210°C, 40 rpm for 60 minutes
• Change of torque measured

Decreasing torque indicates molecular weight (MW) loss due to degradation. IrgaCycle™ PS 032 G prevents degradation during processing and maintains properties.