Birch Chemicals Now Supply Additives

Birch Chemicals, originally known as Innovo Chemicals Limited, was formed in 2000 and over the last 23 years has supplied the world’s largest rubber compounders such as Hexpol, Cooper Standard and many more.

Birch Chemicals are part of the Singleton Birch Group who have been operating for over 200 years.  In September 2022, Singleton Birch was bought by Mississippi Lime, an American company with an annual turnover of over $600m whose vision is to be the supplier of choice within calcium markets.

Based in North Lincolnshire, Birch Chemicals has moved from strength-to-strength and now also supplies the plastics industry with the initial launch of the Masterox range in 2018, which began with desiccant powder. Shortly afterwards, this was followed by a masterbatch; Masterox R.  In early 2022, the range was extended to include black, white and calcium carbonate (filler) masterbatches. 

Masterox R premium masterbatch encases ultrafine calcium oxide bound with an 80% CaO concentration. The purpose of Masterox R is for the removal of moisture which can have an adverse effect on production output including surface defects and structural integrity. A problem which seems to be more prominent now with the increased usage of recycled materials brought about by the Plastic Packaging Tax.

Masterox Black is used for colour and is offered as a 20% or 40% concentrated carbon black masterbatch. Masterox White is offered as a 50% or 70% concentrated titanium dioxide masterbatch. Both are bound in an LLDPE carrier, compatible with LLDPE, LDPE, HDPE and PP polymers.

Masterox Carb is a filler masterbatch with an 82% calcium carbonate content, compatible with polyethylene-based polymers. 

All the Masterox range of products exhibit exceptional dispersion and enhanced production output.

Birch Chemicals prides itself on a flawless / exceptional customer experience and strives to provide a rapid delivery service giving customers confidence that they will always receive product on time. The Masterox stockholding within the UK is always over 500 tonnes.

Birch Chemicals are committed to constant evolution, with their Innovation Centres constantly finding new ways to refine and improve. Its business growth culture has inspired the new additives range that they will be launching in Q4 2023 to complement their core range.

The purpose of an additive masterbatch is to modify polymer characteristics during processing to enhance specific properties. Additive masterbatches can consist of one or more additives and a polymer specific carrier resin. The Masterox additives range carrier will be that of PE. The initial range is made up of 8 products, as described below:

The initial additives range will include:

•            Masterox Anti-block: minimises adhesion of adjacent polymer film layers to each other.

•            Masterox Anti-Static: dissipation of static build-up and dust control.

•            Masterox Anti-Oxidant: Increases longevity, improves processability and heat stability.

•            Masterox UV stabiliser: prevents UV degradation.

•            Masterox Optical Brightener: enhances the whiteness and brightness of product.

•            Masterox Processing Aid: Improves melt characteristics and processability.

•            Masterox Bio Filler: Calcium Carbonate in a bioplastic resin (100% organic).

•            Masterox Transparent Filler: High transparency filler

However, Birch Chemicals welcome enquiries for additives not listed above.

The company saw business development increase massively during the COVID pandemic. Whilst companies struggled with supply of product, Birch Chemicals became problem solvers and developed products to suit companies processes and solve many imperfection issues. With so much of the world being offline, the Customer Service team worked out the best way logistically to supply product.

Further, sustainability is a focus for Birch Chemicals, who have exciting sustainability projects ongoing such as investigating carbon capture, generation of zero carbon electricity in their anaerobic digestion systems and origin zero carbon kiln.

You can read more about the company and its product offering here.