Extrusion International 4-2025

27 Extrusion International 4/2025 Low-Dosage Masterbatches can be used in a Wide Range of Applications Nonwoven products made of polypropylene (PP) with extra soft surfaces can now be produced effi - ciently and cost-effectively with the newly developed softening agents from masterbatch specialist Polyvel. With an entire product family, the industry-renowned company supports fiber manufacturers and users in producing everyday prod- ucts from PP nonwovens with a par- ticularly soft feel. As the addition of small doses is sufficient, the master - batch can be used very efficiently and cost-effectively. The effects achieved with it range from simple, smooth surfaces to so- called “supersoft” products with an ultra-soft feel reminiscent of natural silk. The process aids are suitable for all products with surfaces that are very soft to the touch and have a high- quality appearance. Manufacturers of hygiene textiles in particular rely on them. In addition, they find ap - plication in numerous other sectors, including the automotive and fur- niture industries, medical technol - ogy, the processing industry, and the construction sector. If required, Polyvel also offers to optimize the softening agents for customer-spe- cific applications. Extensive tests by neutral certi- fication and testing laboratories confirm that the additives are also absolutely harmless in contact with human skin, for example in baby di - apers. Their use in conjunction with food is equally safe. The processing aids are also PFAS-free and do not contain any substances on the SVHC list (Substance of Very High Con- cern) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). During extrusion with the help of additive masterbatches such as Poly- vel NH-P01, an extremely lowdosage from 0.5% is sufficient to achieve PP nonwoven surfaces with a high degree of softness. This means that conventional plasticizers and the chemicals usually associated with them can be dispensed with. The process aids are introduced during the production of the PP nonwovens. There, they prevent the fabric gels of the fibers from forming a brittle surface with a rough feel after extrusion. Instead, the dissolved additive in the PP non- woven permanently migrates to the fiber surface. In this way, it creates a unique softness that people appre- ciate in many products. Polyvel's product portfolio is wide-ranging and goes far beyond the newly developed softening agents for polypropylene. Recently, customers have been fo - cusing in particular on additives for processing bioplastics such as poly- lactide (PLA), which are in demand to add specific technical and func - tional properties to applications. Polyvel Europe GmbH www.polyvel-europe.com The new Polyvel softening agents for PP nonwovens enable ultra-soft surfaces (Image: Shutterstock, ID no. 2501286425)