How BASF is using recycled plastics to protect pineapples in Malaysia
German chemical giant BASF is teaming up with Malaysian recycling company 3T Industries to help pineapple plantations in the country increase yields and save resources.
3T Industries has begun applying BASF's IrgaCycle to enhance 100% recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets, which are used as protectors for the fruit.
Pineapples require a warm, humid climate to grow, but they are nonetheless susceptible to damage from solar radiation and high temperatures above 32°C, which can cause significantly reduced yields, cutting into growers' profit margins.
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Symptoms include bleaching or sunburn, which shows on the fruit when its yellow-white skin turns light grey or brown as the tissue underneath becomes damaged, making it susceptible to infestation and disease. The HDPE protector shields the fruit from direct sunlight while still allowing photosynthesis to occur.
“Plastic additives specifically for the agricultural sector are highly customised to fulfil critical customer needs for enhanced crop protection solutions,” said Hermann Althoff, Senior Vice President, Performance Chemicals Asia Pacific.
“We offer full customer support in all questions of quality improvement of recyclates to make them viable materials in new applications.”
Before adopting IrgaCycle, 3T Industries used a mix of light stabilisers and antioxidants to achieve the conditions required by the grower.
IrgaCycle offers a one-pack solution that is immediately available for the recycler without the need for further premixing. It is also more efficient at lower concentrations compared to traditional antioxidant systems and reduces the overall quantity of additives required. This results in easy and accurate dosing, improved product quality, as well as upgraded recyclate for use in long-term applications.
“We use our expertise in recycling technology and post-consumer resins to provide better solutions to consumers and communities,” said PH Tan, Managing Director of 3T Industries.
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“With IrgaCycle, we were able to use recycled feedstock to design a new product that features a high amount of recyclate content and makes more sustainable agricultural plastics possible.”
BASF also provided 3T Industries with the technical know-how needed to stabilise the recycled polymers during processing and outdoor weathering.
Launched in 2021, IrgaCycle consists of a series of plastic additive formulations, which enable recycled plastics to be reused for the production of high-value plastics in combination with virgin materials. The additive solution addresses specific quality issues associated with recycled resins, such as limited processability, poor long-term thermal stability and insufficient protection from outdoor weathering.
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