BASF’s plastic additives improve the manufacture and functionality of underwater cable sheathing

Hong Kong SAR, China – November 5, 2019 – Siechem Wires and Cables, a leading manufacturer and exporter of marine and shipboard cables in India, has developed underwater cables using a tailor-made BASF plastic additives package, comprising of an antioxidant from the Irganox® range and light stabilizers from the Chimassorb® and Tinuvin® ranges. The additives play a crucial role in stabilizing the production process and extending the service lifespan of underwater cable sheathing. 

“The plastics industry requires plastic additives to achieve the desired properties and performance of their products in specific applications,” said Hermann Althoff, BASF’s Senior Vice President, Performance Chemicals Asia Pacific. “Our plastic additives enable a wide range of plastic applications to remain extremely durable and withstand natural elements better, as the underwater cable example demonstrates.”

Modern deep-water fiber-optic cables comprise several pairs of hair-like glass fibers, a copper power conductor and steel wire strength membrane, which are all sheathed in high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Siechem uses the electron beam (EB) cross linking process to create the HDPE coverings used for high performance wire and cable.

The process of cross-linking plastics with high energy electrons is used to improve thermal, chemical, barrier, impact and other mechanical properties to meet the demanding applications of the customers in the wires and cables business.

Incorporating antioxidants and light stabilizers optimizes the polymer for more efficient cross-linking and improved durability during service life. BASF’s plastic additives solution is added to the resin to reduce color formation and to provide processing stability during the pelletization and extrusion processes. In this way, the polymer is protected both during the processing step and throughout its service life.

 

About BASF Plastic Additives

BASF is a leading supplier, manufacturer and innovation partner of plastic additives. Its comprehensive and innovative product portfolio includes stabilizers which provide ease in processing, heat and light resistance to a variety of polymers and applications including molded articles, films, fibers, sheets and extruded profiles. More information about plastic additives: www.plasticadditives.basf.com.

BASF Plastic Additives is part of BASF’s Performance Chemicals division. The division’s portfolio also includes Fuel and Lubricant Solutions, Kaolin Minerals, as well as Oilfield and Mining Solutions. Customers from a variety of industries including Chemical, Plastic, Consumer Goods, Energy & Resources and Automotive & Transportation benefit from our innovative solutions. To learn more, visit www.performancechemicals.basf.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 122,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €63 billion in 2018. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

 

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