Israeli compound, additive and masterbatch producer Tosaf (Afula; www.tosaf.com) has developed a new masterbatch that it says can multiply the service life of UV-absorbing greenhouse films. In accelerated weathering tests, “UV4120PE” reduced the UV-filtering efficiency of conventional films by about 80%. By comparison, use of an organic UV absorber and a nickel quencher reduced the same efficiency by 30%. In addition, Tosaf said, using just 2% of the new masterbatch boosts the residual UV-barrier to 90% at the end of the test period.

Depending on the region, Tosaf said, the addition of UV4120PE can extend the service life of greenhouse films from one to more than three years. Aside from affording longer weather protecting properties, the masterbatch also ensures a mostly constant anti-virus effect during the film’s life. That is because many insects do not enter into areas covered by UV-absorbing films. Tosaf added that red rose growers in particular will be able to benefit from the new masterbatch, as UV-absorbing films have been found to be very effective in preventing the petals from blackening.