BASF’s light stabilizer Tinuvin has been applied by Fujian Atlantis Plastic Products Co., a company specialized in the production and processing of plastic products for marine floats, to protect polypropylene (PP) pontoons used by fish farmers in Ningde, Fujian Province of China.

Like all plastics, PP is susceptible to UV light and heat, which can result in color change, surface cracking, and ultimately, product failure. To make the pontoons resistant to intense sunlight, a light stabilizer such as Tinuvin is added to the polymer during manufacturing. Tinuvin protects the PP pontoons from the negative effects of prolonged exposure to UV light thereby improving its weatherability and extending its lifetime from 3 years to more than 5 years.

“Strong, durable, and safe – these are qualities that should always come to mind when employing a plastic floatation system,” said Hermann Althoff, Senior Vice President, Performance Chemicals Asia Pacific, BASF. “Our UV stabilization products create a stress-crack-resistant platform that maintains the structural integrity of the plastic article for many years”

“Fish farmers are sensitive to cost, and previously used pontoons made of foamed plastics. These become brittle and prematurely break,” said Min Lin, General Manager of Fujian Atlantis. “By using Tinuvin, we could achieve a high-quality, more durable pontoon that is not susceptible to breakage, chalking and fading even under extreme sunlight. This reduces costs for the fish farmer and enhances our reputation in the market. Furthermore, the pontoons can be recycled at the end of their service life which will reduce the volume of waste headed for landfills.”