03.12.19
Emerald Kalama Chemical announced the launch of two new, proprietary innovations in its Kalama VITROFLEX range of plasticizers introduced last year: Kalama VITROFLEX A90 and Kalama VITROFLEX A99.
Kalama VITROFLEX A90 and Kalama VITROFLEX A99 have been optimized to achieve excellent processing characteristics, pot life, development of mechanical properties and adhesion. They also exhibit low volatility. These properties are critical to ensuring proper bonding and maintenance of the seal, as well as low fogging in insulated glass, which represents the largest application for polysulphide sealants.
In addition to insulated glass, polysulphide sealants are used in applications such as construction joints and sealants, transportation fuel tanks and secondary (spill) containment. In these applications, they outperform alternative chemistries and provide excellent elasticity, adhesion and maintained sealing characteristics in demanding environmental conditions, including exposure to UV, petrochemicals, moisture, mechanical stresses and extreme temperatures.
Kalama VITROFLEX A90 and Kalama VITROFLEX A99 are complementary technologies to Emerald’s VITROFLEX B polymeric plasticizer, which was introduced in 2017 as a solution for the “B” (catalyst) side of polysulphide sealants. VITROFLEX A90 is Emerald’s fundamental offering for the A side of polysulphides, while VITROFLEX A99 maximizes purity to meet the highest performance requirements of specialty applications.
“Together, the [Kalama] VITROFLEX products represent a complete package option for both sides of polysulphide sealants," said Julie Vaughn, global business development director for Emerald’s Industrial Specialties business. "This is important because they offer formulators the ability to replace chemistries that are being squeezed out by regulatory and consumer pressure—benzyl phthalates and certain chlorinated paraffins. At the same time, they can achieve better performance than what they had before, so it’s a win from all sides.”
The new products are used in the “A” (polymer) side of two-part polysulphide sealants, providing formulators with high performance, environmentally friendly alternatives to existing technologies.
“Our business development team is focused on identifying opportunities and challenges within specific markets and then commercializing new innovations that address those gaps," said Scott Neuheardt, VP and GM for Emerald’s Industrial Specialties business. "For example, with polysulphides, the existing solutions have a number of pain points for manufacturers, including performance, regulatory status and long supply chain. The [Kalama] VITROFLEX brand is the direct result of a strategic initiative to minimize or eliminate those issues.”
“Our business development team is focused on identifying opportunities and challenges within specific markets and then commercializing new innovations that address those gaps," said Scott Neuheardt, VP and GM for Emerald’s Industrial Specialties business. "For example, with polysulphides, the existing solutions have a number of pain points for manufacturers, including performance, regulatory status and long supply chain. The [Kalama] VITROFLEX brand is the direct result of a strategic initiative to minimize or eliminate those issues.”
Kalama VITROFLEX A90 and Kalama VITROFLEX A99 have been optimized to achieve excellent processing characteristics, pot life, development of mechanical properties and adhesion. They also exhibit low volatility. These properties are critical to ensuring proper bonding and maintenance of the seal, as well as low fogging in insulated glass, which represents the largest application for polysulphide sealants.
In addition to insulated glass, polysulphide sealants are used in applications such as construction joints and sealants, transportation fuel tanks and secondary (spill) containment. In these applications, they outperform alternative chemistries and provide excellent elasticity, adhesion and maintained sealing characteristics in demanding environmental conditions, including exposure to UV, petrochemicals, moisture, mechanical stresses and extreme temperatures.
Kalama VITROFLEX A90 and Kalama VITROFLEX A99 are complementary technologies to Emerald’s VITROFLEX B polymeric plasticizer, which was introduced in 2017 as a solution for the “B” (catalyst) side of polysulphide sealants. VITROFLEX A90 is Emerald’s fundamental offering for the A side of polysulphides, while VITROFLEX A99 maximizes purity to meet the highest performance requirements of specialty applications.
“Together, the [Kalama] VITROFLEX products represent a complete package option for both sides of polysulphide sealants," said Julie Vaughn, global business development director for Emerald’s Industrial Specialties business. "This is important because they offer formulators the ability to replace chemistries that are being squeezed out by regulatory and consumer pressure—benzyl phthalates and certain chlorinated paraffins. At the same time, they can achieve better performance than what they had before, so it’s a win from all sides.”
