Kisuma introduces novel Setogem™ RD dual-function nucleator and acid scavenger molecule for PP
Kisuma Chemicals, a global leader in magnesium-based additives, has launched several new additive solutions designed to expand the company’s diversified product portfolio and boost the performance, efficiency and sustainability of plastics. As part of this major initiative, Kisuma will introduce Setogem™ RD, an innovative dual-function nucleating agent and acid scavenging agent for polypropylenes (PP).
“We are very proud to offer this unique new molecule to our customers in the plastics industry,” says Samir El Khoury, regional business manager Middle East & Africa and Global Product Line Manager Polyolefin Additives at Kisuma Chemicals. “As a two-in-one product, Setogem™ RD combines a superior balance of properties in one single environmentally friendly and cost-efficient solution that minimizes the complexity of PP formulations, enables faster processing and maximizes final part quality.”
The excellent nucleation performance of Setogem™ RD helps resin producers promote and control the formation of crystals within the polymer, which results in PP materials with outstanding stiffness, impact strength and isotropic shrinkage. Moreover, it provides excellent heat deflection temperature and low creep deformation. At the same time, acid scavenging is an integral property of the product’s composition, offering non-migratory performance even at low use levels. This contributes to a substantial reduction in blooming and migration—critical for medical and food contact applications facing strict regulatory demands—while ensuring corrosion protection for processing equipment and preserving the function of additives essential to long-term polymer stability.
Setogem™ RD is zinc-free and reduces the need for tallow or palm oil derivatives. It also allows customers to reduce the loading levels compared to other, less-sustainable additives, such as talc and sodium benzoate (NaBz), from several kilograms per ton of PP to only 200 ppm or 300 ppm. In addition, the innovative new dual-function molecule has a very low Scope 1 and 2 carbon footprint. For instance, a major customer has initiated the replacement of talc by Setogem™ RD for 1 MMtpy of PP produced at one site, eliminating the exposure of employees to talc in their process and resulting in a CO2 emissions reduction of over 2 kilotons per year. Talc contains high amounts of hazardous substances which led the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in 2024 to classify it as a health hazard.
Setogem™ RD is globally available and has already received complete food contact approvals in the EU as well as in Switzerland, Brazil and Japan. FDA approval is expected towards the end of the year.
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