— By Plasteurope.com staff — 

Lucobit (Wesseling, Germany; www.lucobit.de) has developed compounds containing 80% calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). According to the company, the material can be processed into films with up to 70% CaCO₃ content. The copolymer, based on ethylene-butyl acrylate (EBA), is offered in two grades under the brand names Lucofin 7182 for blown film and Lucofin 8182 for cast film extrusion.

The films are suitable for applications requiring breathability, such as hygiene products like nappy films, as well as roofing underlays and protective clothing, the firm said, adding that a higher CaCO₃ content translates to greater gas permeability. According to the company, comparable products on the market have so far achieved calcium carbonate levels of around 50%. A higher amount would result in a lower carbon footprint due to a reduced area weight of less than 8 g/m². Typically, this value ranges between 12 g/m² and 15 g/m². Lucobit said that the films can also be produced more quickly with a higher calcium carbonate content because better thermal conductivity enables faster solidification.

Related: Calcium carbonate opacifiers for PET applications

Lucobit, incorporated as a joint-stock company, was formed in the year 2000 through a management buyout from the BASF and Shell joint venture Elenac. The company primarily develops and produces polyolefins based on EBA, which are marketed through its three business units – flexible polymers, waterproofing, and asphalt. According to the company, its production capacity at Wesseling is 25,000 t/y. In 2021 – more recent figures are not available in the Federal German Gazette (Bundesanzeiger) – the company employed around 15 people and generated a turnover of more than EUR 25 mn.