Chemically modified minerals account for about three-quarters of this amount, but a very rapidly growing segment is treated natural fibers. Leading mineral fillers that are frequently chemically modified include calcium carbonate (both ground and precipitated), kaolin, alumina hydrate, mica, talc, organoclays, silica, and wollastonite. These products represent the highest value-added segment of the mineral fillers market with average prices for some products exceeding $0.50 a lb.

Leading specialty fibers that require some coupling agent additives include wood fiber, other natural fibers, and milled glass. Wood and other natural fibers are used in natural fiber composites where loading levels of fiber can exceed 60% of the formulation weight. Coupling agents help to improve the bonding of the fiber to the polymer.

Coupling agents and other surface treatments can be added directly to the filler or fiber, or incorporated during the compounding process. In recent years the trend has been to pre-treated fillers and reinforcements in order to optimize economics and control VOC emissions. Generally these treatments are incorporated at levels of 1% to 5% by weight of the filler/fiber.

Silanes are the most commonly used coupling surface treatments, but stearates, aluminates, maleated polypropylene, maleic anhydride, zirconates, and a variety of other products also find use. The benefits of using these additives in the filled or reinforced compound are many and include:

• Higher flexural strength
• Improved impact strength
• Better moisture resistance
• Better surface finish/gloss
• Reduced shrinkage
• Improved weatherability
• Better dispersion of the filler/fiber

As stated earlier, increasing use of fillers in thermoplastics has caused much of the recent growth in modified fillers and reinforcements. Much of the use of coupling agents has focused on polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon due to the non-polar properties of these polymers. New applications for these polymers in specialty packaging films, wood-plastic composites, appliances, and transportation related components have driven much of the growth in modified minerals/fibers. All of these applications have a growth potential of over 10% per year, and for some the growth forecast easily exceeds 20% annually.

PVC is the other major polymer that incorporates modified fillers/reinforcements. PVC is a polar polymer and the use of chemical modifiers has focused on dispersion or wetting additives. However, the changing requirements of compounders for performance enhancements, higher through-put rates, and better economics has encouraged the investigation of new and improved chemical additives.

Principia Partners' proposed multi-client market study, Coupling Agents, Surface Treatments, Modified Fillers, and Fibers - Value Added Opportunities in Plastics, will provide a detailed technical assessment and analysis of the drivers and new developments that will affect the demand for coupling agents/surface treatment additives, performance minerals, and fibers in plastics in North America. This analysis will determine the current and future market for modified fillers/fibers in plastics applications as well as coupling agents and other surface modification additives. The report will discuss new technological developments in coupling agents and other chemical modifiers and will also assess trends in the value chain for these products in order to predict whether filler/fiber suppliers or compounders/fabricators will benefit from future innovations.

Principia Partners is recognized as a leading consultancy serving the minerals and reinforcements industry. The firm is an international business consulting firm focused on the greater materials and related manufactured goods industries. For more information, visit the company's website at PrincipiaConsulting.com. For a prospectus on the study, call either Carl Eckert or Steve Van Kouteren at 800-378-8330.

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Contact:
Principia Partners, 800/378-8330
Carl Eckert, ext. 241
CEckert@PrincipiaConsulting.com
Steve Van Kouteren, ext. 242
SteveVK@PrincipiaConsulting.com