Bluestar Silicones to unveil Silcolease Optima II series at Labelexpo

Bluestar Silicones will introduce the new Silcolease Optima II series at Labelexpo Americas on stand 3604. This latest range of polymers and crosslinkers is claimed to give silicone coaters greater flexibility to optimize the use of platinum catalyst and to reduce the associated cost for a range of pressure-sensitive label applications. 

With the new Optima II system, a typical silicone coater can reduce platinum use by up to 50 percent to 25 ppm, according to Ron Hanks, business director, Bluestar Silicones USA. The thermally cured, solventless Optima II system can also be used to reduce the exit web temperature or increase line speed, thus cutting energy consumption. The Optima II line includes two new polymers, Silcolease Poly 357 and 358, and two new crosslinking agents, Silcolease XL 326 and 328. 

‘We’re excited about this introduction because it delivers important cost benefits to silicone coaters in terms of platinum reduction,’ said Hanks. ‘The Optima II system offers significant value to our customers, enabling them to be more productive and efficient in a competitive marketplace.’ 

Bluestar Silicones will also feature its latest developments in UV cure systems including epoxy cationic cure and acrylate free radical cure. These systems are used as an alternative to thermal solventless systems, offering reduced energy consumption, smaller manufacturing footprint, and suitability for a wider range of printing substrates. The latest materials are Silcolease UV Poly 100 series (free radical) and Silcolease UV Poly 200 (cationic).  

In addition, the company will showcase its full line of Silcolease silicone products for release coatings and pressure-sensitive adhesive applications including solventless thermal, emulsion, and solvent-borne systems. 

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