Newsletter - June

Market Updates

Continued increases in Fatty Alcohol costs due to strong demand and impacts of supply dislocations; C16 and C18 demand high with limited supply in NA.

Record high ocean freight spot rates ex-Asia have seen a further major hike this week, including rises of nearly 40% this week to the US, as a month of port restrictions and congestion at Yantian and other south China ports worsen container shipping’s already severe global capacity and equipment shortages.

Logistics across the US continue to be challenged by lack of drivers, lack of trucks for the loads, etc. Some bulk carriers are refusing long hauls with an empty back haul (think TX to Ohio for example or Chicago to California). They are refusing the loads.

Ports continue to very congested. Containers have been sitting in port and received, but due to the trucking issues, they are unable to get the material to warehouses.

Hurricane season has begun. The first US landfall was last week (Claudette) and fortunately avoided the critical petrochemical complexes. Some manufacturers have put out a “hurricane preparedness letter” in anticipation of another challenging season of weather-related dislocations.

Newsletter - June

Innospec Diester Sulfosuccinates for Emulsion Polymerization

INNOSPEC is one of the largest suppliers of Sulfosuccin(am)ate surfactants which are used in a wide range of industries from emulsion polymer (EP) synthesis, paints, over print varnishes (OPV), inks, adhesives, agrochemicals, plastics and many more.

Diester Sulfosuccinates are used in a wide variety of emulsion and suspension polymerization as the primary emulsifier. They produce latexes with low coagulum, small particle sizes and narrow particle size distribution. In paint and adhesive formulations, they can be used to lower surface tension, improve flow and leveling characteristics. Sulphosuccinate surfactants have been used in waterborne formulations to ensure adequate wettability by the overprint varnish over fresh offset ink.

Innospec & Barentz have you covered with a wide range of products for your emulsion polymer needs:

• EMPIMIN® MA80 - Sodium Dihexyl Sulfosuccinate in ethanol/water
• EMPIMIN® AMI/P – Sodium Diamyl Sulfosuccinate in propylene ylycol
• EMPIMIN® OT Series – Sodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate in ethanol/water
• EMPIMIN® OP Series – Sodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate in propylene glycol/water
• EMPIMIN® TR70 – Sodium Bistridecyl Sulfosuccinate in ethanol/water
• EMPIMIN® ID-65 - Sodium Di-Isodecyl sulfosuccinate in isopropanol/water

Explore the full Innospec range of Diester Sulfosuccinates as well as their Monoester Sulfosuccinates and Sulfosuccinamates. Contact your BarentzAccount Manager at 440-937-1000 or marketing@barentz.us to learn more.

Innospec Product Info

Newsletter - June

NEW POLYCARBAMIDE TECHNOLOGY FOR DIRECT-TO-METAL COATINGS

Atmospheric corrosivity categories are based on risk for corrosion and ranked from C1 (very low) to C5 (very high). C3 environmental conditions are defined as industrial and urban atmospheres with moderate sulfur dioxide contamination levels, or onshore areas of low salinity (ISO 12944).

Direct-to-Metal coatings (DTM) provide both decorative as well as protective properties to the metal to which it is applied in these C3 moderate corrosive environments. Direct-to-Metal (DTM) coatings technology is gaining market acceptance as both shop and field applied systems due to its ease of application, reduced time, and increased productivity benefits.

Two-part polyurethane DTM coatings are formulated using aliphatic polyisocyanates and polyester or acrylic polyols as they provide acceptable weathering performance in outdoor applications. Both polyester and polyacrylic polyol tend to be viscous and therefore require solvent, which contributes high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) to the coating formulations and often results in slower cure, poor flexibility, and compromised corrosion protection.

DTM formulators are now taking advantage of new polycarbamide technology which provides excellent corrosion protection and enhanced productivity through faster cure rates and reduced formulation complexity. The new polycarbamide technology offers excellent adhesion to difficult metal substrates like galvanized, cold, and hot rolled steel and improved coating flexibility and very low VOC’s.

Evonik has developed two polycarbamide curing agents that provide fast return to service and great surface aesthetics in both DTM and topcoat applications. In addition, coatings offer improved impact resistance, excellent UV and corrosion resistance and cures at low temperatures.

▪ IC-166 is a faster polycarbamide that provides coatings with an ultra-fast return to service
▪ IC-186 provides longer pot life that enables coatings to be applied using conventional spray equipment
▪ IC-166 & IC-186 are compatible with each other, easy to formulate, and can be mixed to provide customers with a required performance for their application

Easy to formulate
• Very few additives required
• Low viscosity
• Low or no VOC formulations

Great aesthetics
• Defect free coatings due to low viscosity

Coating properties
• Improved impact resistance
• Excellent UV resistance
• High corrosion protection
• Low temperature cure

Evonik’s new polycarbamide curing agents allow formulators to meet the direct to metal coatings market needs for improved productivity, ease of application, and long-term protection of their customers’ assets.

Amicure Product Info

Newsletter - June

CHROMA-CHEM® 641 - Pigment Dispersions for Solvent-Based Coatings

The various pigments utilized in this colorant line are dispersed in an aldehyde resin vehicle. This vehicle provides excellent wetting and dispersing properties. The colorants are formulated with Propylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (PM) Acetate and Rule 66 Mineral Spirits as the primary solvents. Each colorant contains a carefully selected and unique blend of vehicle and pigment to provide compatibility in a wide range of nonaqueous coatings applications. The individual CHROMA-CHEM® 641 colorant formulations are designed for use in dispenser tinting or as an in-plant system for tinting or full pigmentation. This line of colorants provides exceptional value when cost is balanced with performance. These colorants provide a good option when the cost of an acrylic-based colorant system exceeds the performance requirements of a medium-duty industrial coating.

The CHROMA-CHEM® 641 line is designed to color most industrial coatings systems. They are formulated with optimal levels of pigment, resin, additives and solvent to ensure each colorant has excellent pigment development and exhibits rheological characteristics that contribute to extraordinary stability of the colorant whether in-can or in-canister. The CHROMA-CHEM® 641 Colorants are controlled to a tinting strength tolerance of ±2% by volume and ΔE. Rheological properties of the colorants are also controlled to allow for excellent performance in volumetric or gravimetric tinting equipment. The tight control allows for accurate reproduction of color through in-plant or dispenser tinting.

These colorants have been evaluated in a multiple maintenance and industrial coating types at 2 to 15 percent loading. Testing indicates excellent compatibility in multiple coating types. Base formulations will have a impact on individual results. Thorough testing is recommended. Results are consistent with our other industrial colorant systems and good results are expected in a wide variety of coatings applications based on acrylic, polyester, cellulosic lacquer, vinyl lacquer, chlorinated rubber, alkyd, epoxy, polyurethane coatings. This line is also compatible with most aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, ethers, ketones, and reactive diluents.

The CHROMA-CHEM® 641 colorants are formulated for use in most non-aqueous industrial coatings including, but not limited to, aerosols, concrete stains, general industrial finishes, general OEM, industrial maintenance, light industrial, and other protective coatings.

Chromaflo Product Info

Newsletter - June

Zinc Nacional's Zinc Oxide

Zinc Nacional, the largest producer of zinc oxide in Latin America and one of the largest in the world offers a diverse line up of zinc oxide materials to the North American market. Zinc Nacional produces the traditional French Process products but is also the only producer of American Process zinc oxide in North America. Additionally, Zinc Nacional can blend both types to achieve the ideal product to suit the customer’s needs.

Long recognized for its UV protection, color retention and mold/mildew inhibitor properties Zinc Nacional’s American Process and blended zinc oxides also can provide decreased water permeability, increased tensile strength and elongation. The bright white color and durability make it an ideal product for TiO2 extension. American Process zinc oxide is ideal for coatings and ceramics but is also useful for adhesive and sealant applications. Sold under the Maximo brand a wide range of surface area and purities are available.

French Process products are typically used in rubber compounding and chemical industry but also find application in plastics and a wide range of applications. The well recognized brand for the French Process materials is Oxzinal and comes in a range of surface areas all offering very high purity.

Zinc Nacional Product Info

Commodities Report

See the Latest Market Data

Barentz' monthly Commodities Report tracks select raw materials and currencies allowing you to gain a better understanding of some of the key cost drivers in our industry.

Commodities-March-2024