Technology

EPRON INDUSTRIES Ltd
Manufacturers of Degradable and Fragrant Plastic Masterbatches

Epron Industries Ltd. manufacture three grades of Polyclean:

Polyclean 403 for applications such as carrier bags and bin liners
Polyclean 404 for applications which will be exposed to UV light, such as mulch films
Polyclean 405 our grade without starch for clear film applications

Degradation Behaviour

The degradation behaviour of films and mouldings depends on several factors:

The stabilisation of the base polymer
Any additives such as colour masterbatch
The amount and grade of Polyclean added
The environmental conditions

Degradation due to oxidative action
By mixing Polyclean masterbatch with your polyethylene you can produce polyethylene films that are degradable, and all ingredients are GRAS. Polyethylene films made with Polyclean masterbatch will degrade regardless of how they are disposed of - in the soil, above ground or in water. The breakdown rate can be varied with different additive levels.
Polyclean masterbatch works through combined oxidative and biological action: increased oxidative activity speeds up the degradation process, and microorganisms and enzymes in the soil or water attack starch (from the masterbatch) and digest it. Both actions cause the film to lose all toughness.

Degradation in soil
Polyclean masterbatch greatly speeds up the degradation process. Buried in a sanitary landfill, polyethylene film will last forever. Polyethylene films which incorporate Polyclean masterbatch, on the other hand, will degrade in just six months to two years. Yet these films, when properly stored, have a more than adequate 'shelf life' for most products.
Breakdown of the polyethylene may vary with light, temperature, soil conditions and the amount of Polyclean masterbatch in the film.

EPRON INDUSTRIES Ltd, Units 4-6 Ketton Business Estate,
Pit Lane, Ketton, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 3SZ
Tel: + 44 (0)1780 721697 Fax: + 44 (0)1780 721724
e-mail: enquiries@epronindustries.com