Greenmantra says polymer additives optimize customer’s HPDE pipe - Recycling Today

Greenmantra Technologies, a Brantford, Ontario-based molecular recycler of plastics, is featuring the success of its customer, Timewell, Illinois-based Timewell Drainage Products, in optimizing the production of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe containing recycled content at this week’s NPE show in Orlando.

Timewell uses Greenmantra’s Ceranovus PN specialty polymer additives as processing aids, produced from plastic scrap using a patented molecular recycling process, to increase output as needed to accommodate seasonal demand for its stormwater and agricultural drainage pipe.

Greenmantra says these additives act as melt flow modifiers to help Timewell smooth out processing inconsistencies resulting from variability in postconsumer (PCR) and postindustrial (PIR) resins. They also enable the pipe manufacturer to increase production line speed by up to 25 percent without raising energy use and costs. By providing an alternative to fossil-based additives, Greenmantra says its products help Timewell decrease the carbon footprint of its pipe.

According to Greenmantra, its additives provide Timewell with flexibility to respond to seasonal peaks in demand by farmers, who typically need drainage pipes after fall planting, and building and road construction companies that install the pipe during the spring and summer. When higher throughput is required to fill an order quickly, Greenmantra says Timewell can precisely calculate the additive dosage needed to achieve the desired line speed and pipe quantity.

Ceranovus PN specialty polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) additives act as melt flow modifiers in plastic applications to increase operational efficiency, boost productivity and use less energy while enabling larger amounts of recycled content to be incorporated in plastic parts. In addition to pipe, Greenmantra says applications include conduit, plastic lumber and decking, crates and pallets.

“We are gratified to play a role in Timewell’s successful incorporation of higher amounts of recycled content in HDPE pipe,” says Ben Scott, director of research and innovation at Greenmantra. “Our Ceranovus PN specialty polymer additives can make a big difference in operational efficiency by accelerating throughput and increasing output at cost-effective low loadings. Timewell’s experience demonstrates the excellent benefit-cost advantages of using recycled content in additives as well as end products.”

Greenmantra products are used as performance enhancers and processing aids in asphalt roofing and paving, construction materials and auto parts, in addition to plastic pipe.

Timewell has manufacturing and/or distribution facilities in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Wisconsin, and serves 20 states overall. In addition to plastic pipe and farm drainage tile and fittings, the company produces stormwater detention and infiltration systems, chambers, inlet structures and water quality treatment options.

The company can be found at Booth S35181, where it is displaying samples of Timewell’s pipe