Avient launches Cesa Tough additive for recycling
Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Avient Corporation announced the launch of Cesa™ Tough™ A4R (additive for recycling), a new polyolefin additive technology, at this year’s Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRSE) in Amsterdam, where it has earned recognition as a finalist in the Product Innovation category. This performance-enhancing additive addresses one of the plastics recycling industry’s most critical challenges: significantly improving Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) in recycled high-density polyethylene (r-HDPE) while maintaining material recyclability.
Cesa™ Tough™ A4R can deliver measurable, game-changing performance improvements for r-HDPE compared to r-HDPE without the additive, enabling broader use of recycled materials and achieving demanding characteristics, including:
Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR): Improves performance by more than 100% in bent strip tests
Melt Flow Rate: Increases processability by 20% for easy manufacturing
Strain at Break: Enhances flexibility by 35% to help reduce risk of material failure
Impact Strength: Boosts durability by 140% to extend product lifespan
These improvements are especially beneficial for difficult-to-fit applications where durability and resistance to environmental stress are crucial, such as with HDPE. For example, cable jackets need long-term protection against environmental stressors like moisture, soil chemicals, and mechanical strain, which can lead to failures in telecommunications and power distribution systems. To address this issue, Avient’s team from its CycleWorks™ Innovation Center for Plastic Recycling collaborated with the Italian cable manufacturer Tratos to develop Cesa™ Tough™ A4R.
Formulated to maintain the recyclability of r-HDPE, Cesa™ Tough™ A4R supports the plastics industry’s drive toward more sustainable solutions. Performance characteristics adapt based on the quality of the recycled content and the shape of the end product, providing versatility across diverse applications.
“We’re excited to introduce Cesa™ Tough™ A4R at PRSE, where industry leaders collaborate to advance circular economy initiatives,” said Dr. Jan Sϋltemeyer, Global Sustainability and Innovation Manager at Avient. “I am proud that Avient has been nominated as a finalist for the PRSE Awards in the Product Innovation category for the development, along with Tratos, of this latest additive technology for recycling, which is a testament to our ongoing commitment to innovation and the value we bring to our customers and the plastics recycling industry.”
This is the fifth time Avient has been recognized as a finalist in this category, including a 2023 product finalist for Cesa™ Nox A4R, a product winner for its Color Prediction Service, and two 2024 product finalist nominations.