Nexam Chemical’s additives enable upcycling of recycled HDPE
New research from Politecnico di Torino, published in the well-renowned journal Polymers, demonstrates how Nexam Chemical’s Reactive Recycling™ technology enables recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to meet the demands of high-performance applications. By enhancing the material’s melt strength, the technology opens up new possibilities for recycled HDPE in film blowing, fiber production, and extrusion blow molding, making it viable for industries such as packaging, textiles, and automotive.
The study highlights that Nexamite® R305, Nexam Chemical’s proprietary additive, effectively counteracts thermomechanical degradation during mechanical recycling. By modifying the polymer’s microstructure to introduce long-chain branching, it significantly improves processability. This structural enhancement allows the recycled material to be used in applications where high melt strength is essential. The research further demonstrates a remarkable improvement in ductility, with fibers containing Nexamite® R305 achieving an elongation at break of 350%—a major advancement compared to untreated recycled HDPE.
"This study reinforces the value our additive technology brings to customers looking to enhance the performance of recycled HDPE in demanding applications," says Christer Svanberg, CTO at Nexam Chemical. "By increasing melt strength by up tp 100% in degraded material, we make it possible for recycled HDPE to be processed efficiently in film blowing and extrusion blow molding, enabling the production of high-quality fibers, containers, and components. These findings confirm why our technology is so beneficial for customers seeking both sustainability and performance.”
HDPE accounts for approximately 13% of all virgin plastics, making improvements in its recyclability crucial for reducing plastic waste and increasing circularity. The findings from Politecnico di Torino underscore how Nexam Chemical’s additives bridge the gap between recyclability and high-performance material demands, ensuring recycled plastics can compete with virgin materials in industrial applications.
The full research paper, titled "High Melt Strength Recycled High-Density Polyethylene: Evaluation of a Novel Route for Targeting the Polymer Microstructure", is available in Polymers.
Note: This press release has been translated from Swedish. The Swedish text shall govern for all purposes and prevail in case of any discrepancy with the English version.
For more information, please contact:
Ronnie Törnqvist, VD, +46-706 25 41 85, ronnie.tornqvist@nexamchemical.com
About Nexam Chemical
Nexam Chemical develops technology and products that make it possible to significantly improve the production process and properties of most types of plastics in a cost-effective manner and with retained production technology. The improved properties include strength, toughness, temperature and chemical resistance as well as service life. The improvements in properties that can be achieved by using Nexam Chemical's technology make it possible to replace metals and other heavier or more expensive materials with plastics in a number of applications. In applications where plastic is already used, Nexam Chemicals products can improve the manufacturing process, reducing material use and enable more environmental friendly alternatives. Example of commercial applications: pipe manufacturing, foam production and high-performance plastics. More information about the business will be found on www.nexamchemical.com. The company´s Certified Adviser is Bergs Securities AB. Bergs Securities AB can be reached at info@bergssecurities.se or by phone +46-8 408 933 50.
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