Swiss speciality chemicals producer Clariant (Muttenz; www.clariant.com) has developed “Cesa-absorb” masterbatches for active oxygen barriers in PET packaging, to be introduced commercially at the end of 2014. The company said the additive provides an effective oxygen barrier solution for plastic packaging, particularly lightweight, thin and mono-layer packaging where food needs greater protection from permeating oxygen.

“Cesa-absorb” is an integrated active oxygen barrier that protects sensitive packaged goods from degradation. Clariant said it provides improved and long-term oxygen barrier performance in PET packaging such as bottles and films without impacting on the transparency or the recyclability of PET. The oxygen scavenging units consist of a catalyst and an oxidisable substrate, which are uniformly dispersed in the polymeric matrix of the packaging wall.

The company has also developed a range of “Hydrocerol” nucleating agents for construction insulation to be launched commercially at the beginning of 2015. The masterbatches enable foaming of lightweight PS at significantly smaller size than presently produced foams, the company said.