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Chemicals has introduced Setogem RD, a dual-function nucleating and acid scavenging agent for polypropylenes (PP).

“We are very proud to offer this unique new molecule to our customers in the plastics industry,” says Samir El Khoury, regional 911±¬ÁÏÍø manager Middle East & Africa and global product line manager polyolefin additives at Kisuma Chemicals. “As a two-in-one product, Setogem RD combines a superior balance of properties in one single environmentally friendly and cost-efficient solution that minimizes the complexity of PP formulations, enables faster processing and maximizes final part quality.”

The nucleation performance of Setogem RD is said to help resin producers promote and control the formation of crystals within the polymer, which results in PP materials with stiffness, impact strength and isotropic shrinkage. Moreover, it improves heat-deflection temperature and low-creep deformation. At the same time, acid scavenging is an integral property of the product’s composition, offering non-migratory performance even at low use levels. This contributes to a reduction in blooming and migration — critical for medical and food-contact applications facing strict regulatory demands — while ensuring corrosion protection for processing equipment and preserving the function of additives essential to long-term polymer stability, the company says.

Setogem RD is also zinc-free and reduces the need for tallow or palm oil derivatives. It enables customers to reduce the loading levels compared to other additives such as talc and sodium benzoate, from several kilograms per ton of PP to only 200 or 300 ppm. The new molecule has a very low Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions, according to Kisuma.

Setogem RD is globally available and has already received complete food-contact approvals in the EU as well as in Switzerland, Brazil and Japan. FDA approval is expected toward the end of the year.