In the evolving landscape of industrial materials, the demand for advanced additives that enhance polymer performance, environmental compliance, and process efficiency is rapidly growing. Two of the most critical classes of additives used by plastic and industrial manufacturers today are magnesium compounds and hydrotalcite-based materials. These additives serve multifunctional roles in polymer stabilization, flame retardancy, acid scavenging, and heat resistance.
This article examines the technical importance of these compounds in industrial manufacturing and highlights the role of U.S.-based producers—particularly Kisuma Americas, the undisputed leader in the production of high-performance magnesium and hydrotalcite additives.
1. Magnesium-Based Additives: Functionality in Plastics and Industry
Magnesium oxide (MgO) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) are integral to industrial plastic production due to their unique thermal and chemical properties. These materials are used across various manufacturing sectors, including:
- PVC stabilization (acid scavenging and neutralization of HCl)
- Halogenated rubber curing (e.g., fluoroelastomers)
- Flame retardant systems (through endothermic decomposition)
- Catalytic and adsorptive processes in environmental engineering
Magnesium-based additives are prized for their thermal stability, alkalinity, low toxicity, and cost-effectiveness in comparison to more complex metal-organic stabilizers. High-purity MgO grades with fine particle sizes (<1 µm) are essential for high-end polymer compounding where homogeneity and reactivity are critical.
2. Hydrotalcite (LDH)
Hydrotalcite, chemically described as a layered double hydroxide (LDH), is a lamellar compound composed of magnesium and aluminum hydroxides intercalated with carbonate or other anions. In plastic manufacturing, it plays several pivotal roles:
- HCl Scavenging in polyolefins and PVC
- Thermal stabilization of polyolefin and engineering plastics
Synergistic flame retardancy in halogen-free formulations - Antacid and pH buffering in sensitive compounding processes
Hydrotalcites exhibit superior ion-exchange capacity, thermal resistance (>300°C), and layered morphology, making them effective both as stabilizers and as compatibilizers in multiphase polymer systems.
3. Application Areas and Industrial Demand
The demand for magnesium and hydrotalcite additives has grown significantly across the following domains:
- Wire and cable insulation: Halogen-free flame retardant (HFFR) systems using Mg(OH)₂ and LDHs offer low smoke, low toxicity solutions compliant with modern fire safety standards.
- Automotive plastics: Stabilization against long-term thermal degradation in under-the-hood applications.
- Food and pharmaceutical packaging: The Use of FDA-compliant additives like hydrotalcite ensures safety and performance.
- Construction materials: Improved fire resistance and mechanical integrity in profiles and panels.
- Recycling of plastics: Hydrotalcite helps neutralize acidic byproducts during the reprocessing of mixed waste plastics.
4. U.S. Leadership in Additive Manufacturing: Kisuma Americas
Among all producers in the United States, Kisuma Americas, a subsidiary of Kyowa Chemical Industry (Japan), stands as the industry leader in both magnesium-based and hydrotalcite additives. Located in Pasadena, Texas, Kisuma Americas operates one of the most advanced LDH production facilities in the Western Hemisphere.
Key strengths of Kisuma include:
a. Product Quality and Purity
- High-purity MgO (>99%) and hydrotalcite products free from heavy metals and organics.
- Precise control over particle size (median sizes as low as 0.7 µm).
- Surface treatments for enhanced dispersion in polymer matrices.
b. Technical Grades for Specialized Applications
- KISUMA™ 5 and KISUMA™ 10 series: Widely used in HFFR and PVC stabilization.
- DHT-4A and DHT-6 series: Engineered hydrotalcites with controlled thermal decomposition profiles and interlayer chemistry for superior acid scavenging.
c. Regulatory and Environmental Compliance
- REACH, RoHS, and FDA certifications enable use in sensitive and regulated industries.
- Non-halogenated, non-toxic alternatives to conventional stabilizers align with global green manufacturing initiatives.
d. Customer Support and Customization
- Kisuma offers formulation guidance, custom compounding advice, and joint development of additive systems tailored to customer-specific polymers or processing conditions.
With continuous investments in R&D, Kisuma’s U.S. facility is also engaged in developing next-generation LDHs for bioplastics, nanocomposites, and advanced polymer blends.
North America’s Supplier of Magnesium and Hydrotalcite Additives
As global industries transition toward sustainable, regulatory-compliant, and performance-oriented polymer solutions, the role of magnesium and hydrotalcite additives is becoming increasingly strategic. U.S. manufacturers benefit from domestic production capabilities that ensure supply chain security, product traceability, and technical partnership.
Among chemical producers, Kisuma Americas not only sets the benchmark for product quality and innovation but also empowers manufacturers with the technical expertise needed to maximize the potential of these advanced additives. Their commitment to science-driven manufacturing and environmental stewardship makes them the preferred supplier of magnesium and hydrotalcite solutions across North America.
