Masterbatch for PVC

Abstract

The present invention relates to improvements in a masterbatch which is a compounded concentrated mixture of colorants and/or additives to effect the properties, typically the color, of a target polymer. One aspect of the present invention comprises a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) masterbatch comprising a chlorinated polyolefin having a melt flow index (MFI) characteristic of between 1 and 30 having units of g/10 min at a temperature of 180° C. at a weight of 10 kg; an acrylic processing aid and/or acrylic impact modifier and/or acrylic moulding powder; and at least one dye, pigment and/or functional additive.

Claims

1. A polyvinylchloride (PVC) prill masterbatch, the PVC prill masterbatch comprising: a chlorinated polyolefin having a melt flow index (MFI) characteristic of between 1 and 30 having units of g/10 min at a temperature of 180° C. at a weight of 10 kg; an acrylic processing aid and/or acrylic impact modifier and/or acrylic moulding powder; and at least one dye, pigment and/or functional additive.

2. The prill masterbatch according to claim 1, wherein the MFI characteristic is between 5 and 20.

3. The prill masterbatch according to claim 1, further comprising one or more processing additives.

4. The prill masterbatch according to claim 3, wherein the one or more processing additives are selected from the group consisting of a desiccant and a lubricant.

5. The prill masterbatch according to claim 4, comprising a lubricant comprising a blend of a plurality of lubricant materials.

6. The prill masterbatch according to claim 5, wherein the lubricant comprises one or more of one or more waxes and/or calcium stearate.

7. The prill masterbatch according to claim 3, wherein the one or more processing additive comprises oil.

8. The prill masterbatch according to claim 1, wherein the chlorinated polyolefin is present in an amount of between 10 and 40 weight percent of the prill masterbatch.

9. The prill masterbatch according to claim 1, wherein the prill masterbatch further comprises a filler.

10. A polyvinylchloride (PVC) prill masterbatch carrier comprising: a chlorinated polyolefin having a melt flow index (MFI) characteristic of between 1 and 30 having units of g/10 min at a temperature of 180° C. at a weight of 10 kg; and an acrylic processing aid and/or acrylic impact modifier and/or acrylic moulding powder.

11. A method of manufacturing a prill masterbatch, comprising the steps of: blending a chlorinated polyolefin having a melt flow index (MFI) characteristic of between 1 and 30 having units of g/10 min at a temperature of 180° C. at a weight of 10 kg and an acrylic processing aid and/or acrylic impact modifier and/or acrylic moulding powder and at least one dye, pigment and/or functional additive to form a blend; and forming the blend into a shaped body comprising the prill masterbatch.

12. The prill masterbatch according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the prill masterbatch is from 1.2 mm to 2 mm.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the forming the blend into the shaped body comprises: passing the blend through a die hole so as to form a cylindrical portion; detaching the cylindrical portion so as to form a detached cylindrical portion having a generally cylindrical shape; and allowing the detached cylindrical portion to cool, thereby changing the generally cylindrical shape to a generally spherical shape.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the generally spherical shape has a diameter of from 1.2 mm to 2 mm.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the die hole has a diameter from 1.2 mm to 2.6 mm.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the die hole has a diameter of from 1.2 mm to 1.8 mm.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the chlorinated polyolefin is present in an amount of between 10 and 40 weight percent of the prill masterbatch.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the chlorinated polyolefin is present in an amount of between 15 and 36 weight percent of the prill masterbatch.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the chlorinated polyolefin is present in an amount of between 17 and 34 weight percent of the prill masterbatch.

20. The prill masterbatch of claim 1, wherein the chlorinated polyolefin is present in an amount of between 15 and 36 weight percent of the prill masterbatch.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

(1) According to an aspect of the present invention there is a polyvinylchloride (PVC) masterbatch comprising: a chlorinated polyolefin having a melt flow index (MFI) characteristic of between 1 and 30 having units of g/10 min at a temperature of 180° C. at a weight of 10 kg; an acrylic processing aid and/or acrylic impact modifier and/or acrylic moulding powder; at least one dye, pigment and/or functional additive.

(2) The applicant has realised that change in the masterbatch ingredients has given the result of providing the capability of producing a micro pellet/prill pellet size that may be utilised by PVC manufacturers to mix with their own (free flowing) powder blend in a high speed dry blender ready for subsequent compounding and melt processing in a single operation. This saves significant time and expense in PVC manufacturing. The propensity for freeze off in production of the prill is much reduced and the pressure can be reduced due to the improved flow characteristics. Known masterbatch compositions have relatively poor flow characteristics meaning utilising the present invention reduces processing costs as the pressure can be reduced to cause the composition to flow through the die holes. It has further been determined that processing the masterbatch of the present invention using die face cutting apparatus enables production of substantially circular rather than expected cylindrical prill shape. As the masterbatch passes through the die and is cut the prill changes in shape as it cools. Initially after passing through the die hole there is slight expansion followed by a shape chase from cylindrical to more spherical. This provides prill that is less susceptible to separation from PVC when mixed, and also reduces the clumping effect.

(3) Typical prill size is between 1.2-2 mm diameter produced using a die hole diameter of between 1.2-1.8 mm due to swelling of the prill after passing through the die hole.

(4) Chlorinated polyolefins are well known in masterbatch production however it has been found that utilising a chlorinated polyolefin having a melt flow index (MFI) characteristic valve between one and thirty results in the capability (in cooperation with other ingredients) to produce a micro pellet or prill pellet. The effect of such an MFI characteristic is to change the chlorinated polyolefin typically utilised for production of a masterbatch from having elastic rheological tendencies to the provision of plastic rheological tendencies. The inclusion of such a chlorinated polyolefin may have substantially similar or the same properties to a chlorinated polyolefin used in the art where, for example, chlorine content, shore hardness, tensile strength and elongation at break are substantially the same. Suitable properties are presented in Table 1 below. They are compared to polyolefin traditionally used in masterbatch production presented in Table 2.

(5) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Item Unit Index Chlorine content % 35 ± 1 Fusion heat J/g ≤7.5 Flow velocity (10 kg 180° C.) g/10 min 6~13 Volatile matter content % ≤0.3 Shore hardness Shore A ≤60 Tensile strength MPa ≥8.0 Break elongation % ≥800

(6) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Item Unit Index Chlorine content % 35 ± 1 Thermal decomposition temperature ° C. ≥165 Volatile matter content % ≤0.3 Residual crystallinity % ≤2 Mooney viscosity ML 121° C.1 + 4 65 ± 5 Shore hardness Shore A ≤56 Tensile strength MPa ≥8.5 Break elongation % ≥700

(7) It is further beneficial that the MFI characteristic is between 5 and 20.

(8) It will be appreciated that chlorinated polyolefin is generally used as an impact modifier.

(9) The effect of the this modification upon the properties of the MFI characteristic is to change the properties of the masterbatch and the rheological tendencies from elastic to plastic enabling improved melt flow capability. It will be appreciated that melt flow is a measure of the ease of flow of the melt of a thermoplastic polymer, and is defined as the mass of polymer in grams flowing in 10 minutes through a capillary of a specific diameter and length by a pressure applied via prescribed alternative gravimetric weights for alternative prescribed temperatures. The temperature and weight as described in Table 1 is taken at 180° C. with a weight of 10 kg.

(10) The chlorinated polyolefin is beneficially a chlorinated polyolefin resin. The chlorinated polyolefin is beneficially chlorinated polyethylene, however the chlorinated polyolefin may alternatively be chlorinated polyethylene. The chlorine content is approximately 35 weight %, Shore hardness is approximately greater than 60 A, tensile strength is greater or equal to 8 MPa and break elongation is greater than or equal to 800%.

(11) Chlorinated polyolefin is beneficially present in an amount of between 10 and 40 weight % of the masterbatch. Beneficially, the chlorinated polyolefin is present in between 15 and 36 weight % of the masterbatch. Even more beneficially, the chlorinated polyolefin is present in an amount of 17 to 34 weight % of the masterbatch. This is dependent upon the desired properties and in particular desired colour effect to be imparted on PVC by the masterbatch.

(12) The acrylic processing aid is beneficially provided to improve processing characteristics on the way from the raw material to the semi-finished and finished article. Such acrylic processing aid may accelerate melting processing, improve the rheological properties in the thermoplastic state and beneficially improve the mechanical properties in the thermo elastic state. The provision of an acrylic processing aid is therefore preferred and is preferably provided as less than 10 weight % of the masterbatch. In some masterbatches according to the present invention an acrylic processing aid may not be present at all. Preferred acrylic processing aids include methyl-methacrylate based processing aids however other suitable acrylic processing aids may be included. Known processing aids commercially available include, for example, acrylic processing aid P270.

(13) It is beneficial that the masterbatch includes an acrylic impact modifier however for certain masterbatch compositions it is not essential. The acrylic impact modifier is beneficially an acrylic/styrene polymer. A preferred impact modifier includes Paraloid D320®. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that alternative acrylic impact modifiers may be utilised. The provision of an acrylic impact modifier is advantageous for reasons known in the art. The advantages include trouble free processing, resistance to light and weathering, high impact strength, good surface formation and high aging resistance. The acrylic impact modifier is beneficially provided up to approximately 20 weight % of the masterbatch. Even more beneficially, the acrylic impact modifier is provided as approximately 10 weight % of the masterbatch.

(14) The masterbatch preferably includes an acrylic moulding powder. The acrylic moulding powder acts in a similar manner to an impact modifier, but due to its molecular weight is less sticky meaning the product is less prone to clumping.

(15) The acrylic moulding powder is beneficially provided in an amount of less than 25 weight % of the masterbatch and preferably the acrylic moulding pad is provided in an amount of between 5 and 25 weight % of the masterbatch. Even more preferably, the acrylic moulding powder is present in an amount of between 10 and 20 weight % of the masterbatch.

(16) The dye and pigments are well known in the art. The functional additive is an additive beneficial to the properties of the end PVC product. Such functional additives may comprise UV stabilisers, anti-stats, flame retardants or the like.

(17) The MFI characteristic is preferably between 5 and 20. This range provides an improved melt flow characteristics of the mixture in production of the masterbatch. One or more processing additives are beneficially included in the masterbatch. The one or more processing additives are beneficially selected from the group comprising a desiccant and/or lubricant. If present, the desiccant is beneficially present in an amount of between 3 and 6 weight % of the masterbatch. Even more preferably, the desiccant is present in the range of between 4 and 5 weight %. Even more preferably, the desiccant is present in an amount of approximately 5 weight % of the masterbatch. The desiccant is beneficially calcium oxide.

(18) A lubricant is beneficially provided in the masterbatch for internal lubrication of the masterbatch mixture and/or external lubrication of the masterbatch mixture during processing as it passes through processing apparatus. The lubricant is beneficially a blend of a plurality of lubricant materials. A first lubricant material may be one or more wax types, and a second lubricant material may be calcium stearate. One or more wax types are beneficially provided and appropriate selection is made to beneficially provide internal and external lubrication of the masterbatch. Wax is beneficially provided in an amount of between 5 and 20 weight % of the masterbatch. Even more beneficially, wax is present in an amount of between 5 and 10 weight %. Calcium stearate is beneficially provided in a range of between approximately 2 weight % and 5 weight % of the masterbatch. Calcium stearate is beneficially utilised in the event of the use of inorganic pigments in the masterbatch.

(19) The one or processing additives beneficially includes or comprises oil. Oil is preferably provided in an amount of between 0 and 3 weight % of the masterbatch. Oil is included as a dampening agent effectively reducing the “dustiness” of the masterbatch mixture.

(20) The dye and/or pigment may be any standard dye/pigment used in the colouring of thermoplastics.

(21) The masterbatch beneficially further comprises a filler. A filler is utilised to reduce the cost of the masterbatch. The filler may be present in the range of between 0 weight % and 50 weight % of the masterbatch. Preferably, the filler is present in the range of 0 to 40 weight % of the masterbatch. A suitable filler is barytes or challe.

(22) The present invention also extends to a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) masterbatch carrier, comprising: a chlorinated polyolefin having a melt flow index (MFI) characteristic of between 1 and 30 having units of g/10 min at a temperature of 180° C. at a weight of 10 kg; an acrylic processing aid and/or acrylic impact modifier and/or acrylic moulding powder.

(23) The carrier is preferably for use with dyes, pigments, functional additives or the like which may be added to the masterbatch when the masterbatch is being manufactured.

(24) It will be appreciated that the term masterbatch has been utilised. An alternative definition of a masterbatch is an additive.

(25) Also according to the present invention there is a method of manufacturing a masterbatch comprising the steps of: blending a chlorinated polyolefin having a melt flow index (MFI) characteristic of between 1 and 30 having units of g/10 min at a temperature of 180° C. at a weight of 10 kg and an acrylic processing aid and/or acrylic impact modifier and/or acrylic moulding powder and at least one dye, pigment and/or functional additive; forming the blend into a shaped body.

(26) Also according to the present invention there is a method of manufacturing a masterbatch carrier comprising the steps of: blending a chlorinated polyolefin having a melt flow index (MFI) characteristic of between 1 and 30 and an acrylic processing aid and/or acrylic impact modifier and/or acrylic moulding powder; forming the blend into a shaped body.

(27) The chlorinated polyolefin, acrylic processing aid, acrylic impact modifier, acrylic moulding powder and at least one dye, pigment, and/or functional additive are beneficially as described above.

(28) The ingredients of the first step are initially carefully weighed.

(29) The blending in the first step is then typically carried out in a high speed high shear mixer, such as a Henschel, a TK Fielder or a Papenmeir mixer. The temperature during this first step typically raises above ambient temperature. The elevated temperature is typically attained by frictional heat of the components of the blend. However, it is envisaged that a heating means may be utilised in order to increase the temperature if required. It is preferred that the temperature is controlled so as to remain substantially below about 80° C., preferably below about 70° C.

(30) It is preferred that a process oil such as epoxidised soya bean oil is added during the first step. The addition of the process oil advantageously dampens the blend, thereby aiding fusion of the components in the first step and also assists in the formation of the shaped body in the second step by, for example, extrusion.

(31) The blending is typically carried out at a temperature in the range of from ambient to about 80° C., such as 70° C.

(32) The chlorinated polyolefin, the acrylic processing aid and/or the acrylic impact modifier and/or the acrylic moulding powder are all preferably free flowing powders, typically having a particle size of less than about 1200 μm (preferably less than about 700 μm) in diameter.

(33) The additives (if present) and the die and/or pigment typically have a particle size of less than about 1200 μm in diameter, although it is envisaged that the particle size may be less than about 100 μm in diameter (or less).

(34) Preferably the chlorinated polyolefin, and optionally the acrylic modifier and/or acrylic impact modifier and/or acrylic moulding powder and the process oil (if present) are preblended prior to the first step. The preblending may be in the same vessel used for the blending in the first step, however, it is envisaged that a different vessel may be used.

(35) The preblending may be for up to about 1 minute, however, it is preferred that the preblending is for up to about 20 seconds.

(36) The resultant blend of chlorinated polyolefin, acrylic processing aid and/or acrylic impact modifier and/or acrylic moulding powder and process oil (if present) achieved in the preblend is subsequently blended with the remaining components of the blend in the first step. The blend in the first step may be for up to about 30 minutes, preferably up to about 20 minutes.

(37) The temperature achieved during the first step and/or the second step may be up to about 70 to 80° C. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the temperature achieved and/or the blending time in the first step is dependent on the ingredients.

(38) The forming in the second step is typically by extrusion, using for example a co-rotating twin screw extruder. The extrusion is preferably carried out on an extruder configured with at least two mixing zones and/or at least eight temperature zones.

(39) The “prill” masterbatch may be made utilising “Leistritz” twin screw extruders but these are not the only suitable type of equipment. The extruder is fitted with a micro pellet die having suitable sized apertures for production of the necessary prill size and an underwater die faced cutter. The die holes are preferably in the range 1 mm to 2.6 mm even more preferably between 1.2-1.8 mm, and typically around 1.4 mm, and the molten masterbatch and composition thereof enables the withstanding of the extreme mixing temperature and pressure that processing in this manner generates. The molten masterbatch flowing through the die holes of this diameter with standard frictional force undergoes localised heating. A die face cutting apparatus cuts the extruded material as it exits the die. This creates an initial cylindrical particle of around 2 mm diameter and 3 mm length. Due to the cooling characteristics this shape changes to form a more spherical prill particle of between 1.2-2 mm diameter. These prill particles are taken away in a fluid flow and then spun dried.

(40) Also according to the present invention there is a method of colouring PVC, in particular PVCu including blending a masterbatch manufactured according to the present invention with a base PVC material. The masterbatch is typically blended with the PVC material in a ratio in the range of 1:100 to 1:10 masterbatch to base PVC material.

(41) The following are examples of masterbatch compositions according to the present invention. Each are presented as providing different colouring of a target PVC. Preferably, properties of PVCu may also be controlled dependent upon the application of the final product using an appropriate masterbatch according to the present invention.

Example 1

(42) TABLE-US-00003 WEIGHT % OF INGREDIENT MASTERBATCH (PEARL) PEARL 2000 (pigment) 25 BARYTES 15 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 CA STEARATE 2.5 PE WAX (1) 5 WAX (2) 2.5 WAX (3) 2 PARALOID P270 4.5 PARALOID D320 9 CHLORINATED 27.5 POLYETHYLENE (CPE) OIL 2

Example 2

(43) TABLE-US-00004 WEIGHT % OF INGREDIENT MASTERBATCH (GOLD) ALUM PASTE (pigment) 9.8 ORANGE DYE 60 (pigment) 19.6078 BARYTES 9.8039 CALCIUM OXIDE 4.902 CA STEARATE 3.9216 WAX (1) 1.9608 WAX (2) 1.9608 WAX (3) 3.9216 PARALOID C303H 9.8039 PARALOID D320 9.8039 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 23.5294 OIL 0.9804

Example 3

(44) TABLE-US-00005 WEIGHT % OF INGREDIENT MASTERBATCH (YELLOW) TI02 PRIME 14.84 YELLOW DYE 72 5.09 ORANGE DYE 60 0.41 BARYTES 19.66 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 CA STEARATE 4 WAX OA2/H12 2 WAX OP 4 PARALOID C303H 10 PARALOID D320 10 CHLORINATED 20 POLYETHYLENE (CPE) EBA [G] 4 OIL 1

Example 4

(45) TABLE-US-00006 WEIGHT % OF INGREDIENT MASTERBATCH (WHITE) TI02 VITA&EXT 62 VIOLET U/M 11 1.35 BLUE U/M 08 0.15 OPTICAL OB1/ECO 2 CALCIUM OXIDE 2.5 CA STEARATE 2.5 PE WAX 3 WAX OA2/H12 1.5 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 5.5 CHLORINATED 19 POLYETHYLENE (CPE) OIL 0.5

Example 5

(46) TABLE-US-00007 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (WHITE) TI02 VITA&EXT 60 CA STEARATE 2.5 PE WAX 5 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 WAX OA2/H12 2 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 0 PARALOID D320 8 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 17 OIL 1.5

Example 6

(47) TABLE-US-00008 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (TERRACOTTA) YELLOW 42 21.5 BROWN 130M 15.5 F95025 1.3 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 CA STEARATE 2.5 PE WAX (1) 5 WAX (2) 5 WAX (3) 2.5 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 13.3 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 27.4 OIL 1

Example 7

(48) TABLE-US-00009 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (CARAMEL) YELLOW DYE 93 12.9 BROWN 110M 19.78 BLK 7 N220 0.88 BARYTES 0 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 CA STEARATE 4 WAX OP 2.5 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 18 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 35.19 WAX OA2/H12 1.75

Example 8

(49) TABLE-US-00010 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (CREAM) BROWN 24 13.87 YELLOW 119 2.63 CHALK 28 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 CA STEARATE 2.5 PE WAX 2.5 WAX 10DS 5 WAX PN.909 2.5 WAX OA2/H12 2 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 11 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 24 OIL 1

Example 9

(50) TABLE-US-00011 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (BRONZE) PL 520 ECO 27.5 ORANGE DYE 60 4.5 RED DYE 135 3.5 BLK 7 N220 1.5 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 CA STEARATE 5 WAX 10DS 4 WAX 295 2.5 PARALOID C303H 15.17 PARALOID P270 4.33 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 22 EBA [G] 4 OIL 1

Example 10

(51) TABLE-US-00012 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (BLUE) BLUE 15.1 ECO 25 BARYTES 17 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 CA STEARATE 2.5 PE WAX (1) 5 WAX (2) 7.5 WAX (3) 2 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 11 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 24 OIL 1

Example 11

(52) TABLE-US-00013 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (COFFEE) YELLOW 110 6.05 BROWN 23 2.9 BLK 7 N220 1.05 BARYTES 40 CALCIUM OXIDE 4 CA STEARATE 2 PE WAX (1) 2 WAX (2) 4 WAX (3) 2 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 11 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 24 OIL 1

Example 12

(53) TABLE-US-00014 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (BLACK) BLK 7 SRF 40 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 PE WAX (1) 7.5 WAX (2) 5 WAX (3) 2.5 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 8.35 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 29.65 OIL 2

Example 13

(54) TABLE-US-00015 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (BLACK) BLK DYE X70 20 BARYTES 15.2 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 CA STEARATE 5 WAX OP 4 WAX PN.909 2 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 22.5 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 26 OIL 3

Example 14

(55) TABLE-US-00016 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (BLACK) BLK 7 N220 ECO 23 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 PE WAX (1) 2.5 WAX (2) 6.5 WAX (3) 2.5 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 24 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 35 OIL 2.5

Example 15

(56) TABLE-US-00017 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (BLACK) BLK 7 N220 15 BARYTES 27.5 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 CA STEARATE 5 PE WAX (1) 5 WAX (2) 2.5 WAX (3) 3 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 11 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 24 OIL 2

Example 16

(57) TABLE-US-00018 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (VIOLET) VIOLET U/M 11 25 BLUE U/M 08 1 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 CA STEARATE 5 PE WAX (1) 2 WAX (2) 2 WAX (3) 1 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 17 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 32 OIL 1

Example 17

(58) TABLE-US-00019 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (ORANGE) ORANGE DYE 60 25 BARYTES 15 CALCIUM OXIDE 5 WAX OP 4 CA STEARATE 4 WAX PN.909 2 PARALOID C303H 10 PARALOID D320 10 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 20 EBA [G] 4 OIL 1

Example 18

(59) TABLE-US-00020 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (RED) TI02 COMMODITY 5.5 RED DYE 135 18 BROWN 110M 3 RED 57.1 1.5 CHALK 18.4622 CALCIUM OXIDE 5.0378 CA STEARATE 5 WAX OP 4 WAX OA2/H12 2.5 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 16 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 20 OIL 1

Example 19

(60) TABLE-US-00021 WEIGHT % OF MASTERBATCH INGREDIENT (RED) RED 53.1 19.8 RED 57.1 2.7 BROWN 110M 2.7 F95404 0.09 BARYTES 15 CALCIUM OXIDE 4 CA STEARATE 2 PE WAX 5 WAX 10DS 4 WAX OA2/H12 2 ACRYLIC 20 [P] 13.11 CHLORINATED POLYETHYLENE (CPE) 28.6 OIL 1

(61) It will be appreciated that in order to produce a PVC masterbatch carrier the at least one dye, pigment, and/or functional additive are removed from the above compositions and are subsequently added during masterbatch production.

(62) Aspects of the present invention enable production of prill on a large scale not previously possible with known masterbatch compositions.

(63) The aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated to the skilled addressee that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.