Having introduced its “Clearstrength E950” core-shell methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) impact modifiers in autumn last year, Arkema (Colombes / France; www.arkema.com) has announced that the grades, used predominantly in PC, are now available in commercial quantities worldwide. Designed to strengthen modified PC – including glass-reinforced grades and PC/polyester blends – E950 is particularly suitable for very low temperature applications, Arkema said, since it maintains good ductile impact properties even below -40 °C.

The French company said the impact modifier also boasts “superior impact performance consistency and stability under severe processing conditions”, which make it a good alternative in cases when processing, thermal stability, low temperature impact and a good balance of physical properties are important. Arkema claims to be one of two European producers of core-shell MBS impact modifiers, which it produces at its plant in Vlissingen / The Netherlands.