ChemSpec fuels growth in PIB portfolio

In response to the significant growth trajectory anticipated in the global polyisobutylene (PIB) market, ChemSpec Ltd (Uniontown, OH), a member of the Safic-Alcan Group family of companies, continues to expand its portfolio to a range of more than 150 versatile product series offerings. This growth is reflected in ongoing exclusive distributorship relationships in North America with Shandong Hongrui Petrochemical Co Ltd (Pingyin, China) and Elastomer Trading, Ltd (Essex, UK)− for medium and high molecular weight PIB speciality polymers respectively.
Estimated at US$4.33bn in 2015, the PIB market’s growth is rising due to demand from end-users in a myriad of manufacturing industries, including: adhesive and sealants, medical, pharmaceutical, automotive, fuel, lubricant/grease and chewing gum, amongst others.

A management-owned distributor of speciailty chemical additives and specialty elastomers for many polymer industrial and cosmetics compounding markets, ChemSpec’s expansive, eco-friendly and FDA compliant medium and high molecular weight PIB portfolio offerings will enable innovative formulators to benefit from their inherent property benefits, such as superior impermeability, oxidation resistance, ozone resistance, weather resistance, and improved physical stability.

ChemSpec / HRD / Medium Molecular Weight (MMW) PIB Profile:

Shandong Hongrui Petrochemical Co Ltd (HRD) has powerful research and scientific strength featuring the largest base in China for the continuous development R & D and production of medium molecular weight polyisobutylene. The company also possesses modern petrochemical unit operation facilities and production equipment, advanced automatic control systems, testing instruments and sophisticated devices for product inspection and quality control. Additionally, it operates strictly in compliance with ISO9000, ISO1400, GB/T 28001 and ISO22000 management systems.

In conjunction with HRD, ChemSpec focuses its attention for medium molecular weight PIB on key market applications including adhesives and sealants, such as caulking for windows, doors, and roofs; lubricants/greases; fuel additives; liquid polymers/elastomers; chewing gums; food grade products, etc.

ChemSpec / Elastomer Trading/ High Molecular Weight (HMW) PIB Profile:

Elastomer Trading, Ltd. (ETL) was founded in March 2006 and is registered in England (Business No. 5763152). Its capacity of HMW PIB is presently 5500t/yr, with 90% of total production available for export. ETL’s Russian production location is currently increasing capacity at its HMW PIB plant, which will grow capacity to 8000t/yr. Targeted for completion at the end of 2017, the increased capacity will allow ETL to be more customer-focused within itsr range of HMW PIB products.

ETL produces unique molecular weight types of HMW PIB. Notably, ETL produces HMW PIB products at a higher molecular weight (Dalton range/Staudinger Index) versus its competitors. As an illustration, its Efrolen P-230 product has a Staudinger Index range between 710 and 820. Moreover, recently ETL developed and is commercially producing a much lower molecular weight HMW material. ETL made this strategic decision because there exists so few producers of this product range. That said, ChemSpec is excited to announce that ETL is now able to offer lower molecular weight forms of HMW, such as Efrolen P-50 [Staudinger Index: 47-64].