Issue 3 2019

50 processing and packaging
Packaging Industry Goes Green
As more and more companies announce measures to reduce packaging waste, new recyclable
materials are chosen, such as paper and new recyclable types of plastic are introduced. In
addition, innovative collecting schemes are among solutions developed to mitigate the global
packaging waste problem.
For example, the leader in
plastic Milliken has announced
the introduction of its most
sustainable products yet, it says,
the Millad ® NX ® 8000 ECO on
the European market.
The latest addition to the marketleading
Millad NX 8000 product
range, the ECO clarifying
additive not only produces the
fully transparent material known
as NX UltraClear PP, which
yields durable end products with
glass-like clarity but addresses
the growing trend for greater
sustainability.
Designed to offer the same
advantages as the products in its
range, the Millad NX 8000 ECO
offers faster production rates,
average energy savings of 10%
for the production of clarified
polypropylene (PP) parts certified
by the Underwriters Laboratories
(UL) label. It features tunable
clarity to meet specific market
needs and has a low risk of
defects such as white specs,
streaks, and voids.
Recently, the Millad NX 8000
product range became the only
PP clarifying agent to receive
Critical Guidance Recognition
from the US Association of
Plastic Recyclers, validating that
the additive is compatible with
plastic packaging recycling.
In addition to these-benefits,
Millad NX 8000 ECO provides
several new and unique
advantages. The company
explains that it addresses
concerns related to migration,
especially in food contact
applications by reducing
Specific Migration Limits, or
SMLs, without adding any new
ingredients to the formulation.
In April, Milliken will begin
building the largest clarifier plant
in its history in Blacksburg, South
Carolina, USA. The world-class
plant is due to begin operations in
2020 and will boost the capacity
of Milliken’s Millad® NX 8000
clarifier by approximately 50%.
The expansion is needed to meet
fast-growing global demand for
this polypropylene additive that is
helping users to realize significant
sustainability and performance
advantages.
“Brand owners and packaging
producers are clearly seeing
how Millad NX 8000 can
contribute to improved
environmental and manufacturing
www.foodmagazine.eu.com issue three 2019