Modified clays used to create transparent films with strong barrier, UV properties

In its first industry-themed project, the new ICAP consortium will develop transparent plastics that can better protect foods and medicines from oxidation and keep them fresher for longer by blocking oxygen, moisture and UV rays.

To help develop this, ICAP will use IMRE's modified clay technology.

"Our technology is to incorporate plate-like clay into a polymer matrix, which is sandwiched between two plastic layers," an IMRE spokesperson told PlasticsToday. "This enhances the efficiency of the polymer against moisture and oxygen penetration/seepage. The UV blocking is from the metal oxide immobilized on the clay sheets."

The clay sheets in the polymer matrix stack together in a layer-by-layer technique, the spokesperson said. The clay sheets are also orientated along the substrate plane on which the clay/polymer composite is coated and laminated.

The film's final structure will be a three-layer film with the inner clay/polymer composite layer laminated between two plastic outer layers. The outer layer could be PET, PP, PE or other plastics, according to IMRE.

The plastics the group develops should require less energy to produce and allow consumers to see the actual perishable products compared to today's opaque aluminum-plastic packaging materials, stated IMRE. The same technology may also be used to make paints and varnishes that protect surfaces with airtight coatings and block oxidizing UV and near infrared rays.

"We are confident that this technology can grow our business in modified clay additives and create endless possibilities for new materials," stated Chua Leng Keong, managing director of Piaget Chemicals & Manufacturing Pte Ltd, in a news release.

ICAP was developed in response to the needs of packaging and coating manufacturers who were seeing an increasing demand for high-performance, customized packaging and coatings for critical components and equipment, consumer care, automotive, aerospace, oil and gas industries.

Through this partnership, new and innovative technologies like IMRE's packaging and coating, can be placed directly into the hands of companies thus shortening the time-to-market of new products, IMRE stated.

The consortium currently comprises core member companies including Nestle R&D Center (Pte) Ltd, Daibochi Plastic And Packaging Industry Berhad, Texplore Co., Ltd. (subsidiary company of SCG Chemicals Co., Ltd), Nipo International Pte Ltd., and Piaget Chemicals & Manufacturing Pte Ltd.

"The reaction from the industry has been very strong with five companies joining this first project," the spokesperson said. "We are also talking to a few more companies and hope that they will join the consortium."

This ICAP project will span one and a half years.