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Wood-Plastic Composites

Biobased materials from renewable resources, such as wood, play a growing role in the sustainable development of society. Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) have emerged in the polymers industry as a solution to use wood processing residues in combination with a thermoplastic matrix, usually a polyolefin, recycled or not. Main challenges of WPC are their inherent moisture sensitivity, dimensional instability and service life.

Acti-Tech™ compatibilizers: adding value to WPC solutions

Thanks to their polymer backbone, Acti-Tech compatibilizer significantly enhances bonding of wood fibers with the polymer as well as mechanical properties of the resulting composite material, such as bending and impact strength.

The manufacturing of Acti-Tech compatibilizer uses a highly efficient melt grafting process, enabling high functionalization with maleic anhydride (MA) monomer and low volatile organic compound (VOC) content. MA groups react with the OH groups of wood fibers to produce a chemically stable compound.

Good coupling between filler and matrix ensured by Acti-Tech compatibilizer helps to considerably reduce water uptake, leading to improved dimensional stability and weather resistance. This feature is of particular value for outdoor applications, such as decking boards.

Available in a wide range of melt flow index (MFI) options, Acti-Tech compatibilizer display excellent processability. It facilitates optimal incorporation of fibers into the polymer matrix and process temperatures cause less damage to both base polymer and wood filler. This results in higher molecular weight, which is reflected in the improved mechanical properties of the alloy.