BASF Light Stabilizers for Synthetic Fibers

Today, more than half of the 80 million metric tons of fibers consumed per annum are synthetic. Synthetic fibers are largely used in technical textiles and fabrics to meet all kind of mechanical, aesthetic and durability requirements.

Synthetic fibers continue their rapid growth in a variety of end use applications such as nonwoven for consumer goods, construction materials, textiles for automotive as well as mono-filaments for artificial grass used in sport fields or landscaping.
Polypropylene is a very important material used in BCF (bulk continuous fiber) processing, nonwoven fibers spinning or the associated weaved tapes. Polyethylene and Polyamide mono-filaments as well as polyester are other important polymers for technical synthetic fibers.

Technical man-made fibers, initially developed and produced in Western countries to compensate for the declining textile clothing activities, are now expanding worldwide fueled by the demand of the rising middle-class population.

UV and Light stabilizers to protect synthetic fibers from degradation

Synthetic fibers are subject to thermo- and photooxidative degradation during polymer processing, spinning and later service life. Fibers used in applications such as artificial turf, barrier membranes or carpets and flooring have to withstand very harsh climate conditions, including prolonged exposure to UV light and environmental pollution or contaminants. Very demanding long-term durability is essential in some end applications, such as construction and automotive.

Irganox® antioxidants, Chimassorb® and Tinuvin® Light stabilizers protect the fiber from adverse thermal and UV aging such as discoloration and degradation.

Which solutions can BASF offer to answer the synthetic fibers industry requirements?

BASF solutions for fibers used in construction materials:

Fibers are used in architectural barrier membranes including geotextiles, roof felts used under roof tiles and house-wrap surroundings for insulation. Both can be laminated onto microporous films for breathability.

See BASF solutions suitable for fibers used in construction:

Focusing on the safety aspect of construction materials, BASF supplies flame retardants that help meeting regulations for construction materials as well as light-stability for insulation membranes.

BASF light stabilizers for the nonwoven sector:

The nonwoven sector covers a very wide variety of applications including hygiene, air filtration, construction and geotextiles. Polypropylene is the polymer used in large majority of applications.

Here are BASF additives recommended for the nonwoven sector:

Highlight: For Flame Retardancy requirements, Flamestab® NOR® 116 is the product of choice for composites containing spunbond PP nonwovens, combining unique flame retardancy and UV protection features.

BASF additives for the artificial turf market:

BASF is a leading supplier of additives for the artificial turf market with more than 25 years’ experience in artificial turf components.
Its comprehensive portfolio includes Hindered Amines Light Stabilizers and UV Absorbers for films, tapes and monofilaments of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyamide. 

In addition, BASF offers Flamestab®, a flame retardant solution for polyolefin thin sections with outstanding UV aging resistance.

See BASF light stabilizers and UV absorbers for the artificial turf market:

BASF light stabilizers for Automotive fibers:

Interior trim and other components inside vehicles are subject to some of the harshest climatic conditions on earth, including extreme temperatures, wide fluctuations in Humidity and other atmospheric pollutants, as well as sunlight exposure.

Here are BASF solutions to solve these issues:

BASF solutions for Carpet and upholstery:

Resistance against light degradation affecting mechanical integrity and aesthetic is often required. As safety regulations become more stringent, effects such as flame retardancy is also more frequently required in an increasing number of applications, in public areas or buildings as well as individual homes.

Find below BASF solutions for household applications:

Let’s wrap up this review of BASF Plastic Additives solutions for fibers in a selection of important applications:

Application	Artificial turf	Technical non-woven	Non-woven for hygiene	Tapes for FIBC	Construction nets
Substrate	PE, PP	PP	PP	PP, HDPE	PE, PP
Standard Offerings	HMW HALS	HMW HALS	Peroxides	Tinuvin® 770/791/783	HMW HALS
Differentiated Product	Tinuvin® XT 55	Chimassorb® 2020	Irgatec® CR 76IC	Chimassorb® 2020 /Uvinul® 4050	Flamestab® NOR® 116
Benefits	High performance novel HMW HALS providing superior light stabilityand thermal stabilitywith improved Water Carry Over performance	High performance novel HMW HALS providing superior light stabilityand thermal stabilitywith improved processing characteristics	Polymer modifier enables economic production of polypropylene nonwoven with outstanding barrier and mechanical properties	High performance HALS that fulfils industry norms and provides the processing advantages (less melt fracture), as well as food contact compliance	Non halogenated flame retardant provides flame retardant efficacy as well as UV and thermal stability to polyolefin fibers and thin films

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