Nynas launches a selected portfolio of naphthenic speciality oils with proven advantages for sealants

Nynas has launched a new white oil called NYFLEX® 2120B and a range of other naphthenic speciality oils for sealant formulators. The portfolio offers cost-effective replacements for silicone fluids, while reducing problems related to microbial growth and maintaining the right balance between viscosity, colour stability and volatility.

"Our range of NYFLEX naphthenic oils can be used to partially or fully replace silicone fluids, resulting in a product with optimal performance and reduced manufacturing costs,” says Gaia Franzolin, Marketing Director at Nynas.

Nynas expects to see strong interest in these new products, as pressure on the global supply of silicone is driving up prices, making producers of silicone-based products eager to find compatible and cost-effective alternatives.

"This product range offers formulation flexibility and displays the right balance between important performance criteria such as polymer compatibility, loss of mass and colour stability”, says Emma Öberg, Development Engineer at Nynas. "The optimised compatibility of NYFLEX 2120B and NYFLEX 2005 is of paramount importance to avoid bleeding on sealant surfaces, while NYFLEX 201B and NYFLEX 3011 provide formulators with a low shrinkage option.”

The entire NYFLEX range for sealants has excellent colour stability thanks to Nynas’ hydrotreating technology, suitable molecular weight, and very low aromatic content. These naphthenic oils can also reduce microbial growth in silicone sealant joints, which can cause permanent staining and etching, as well as shortening the lifespan of the joints."Independent specialist labs have examined our sealant samples formulated with NYFLEX® 2120B and reported no microbial growth, even under the microscope, this stands in contrast to sealant samples formulated with paraffinic oils, which developed undesirable active mould growth,” concludes Öberg.