Clariant offers custom-colored engineering resins in small and mid-size quantities
- Filling the gap as resin companies 'rationalize' product lines
- Most brands, grades and colors available
- Popular grades of ABS, PC and others included
"The recent decision by some of the bigger resin companies to discontinue many custom-colored resin grades has left some users in a difficult position," explains Peter Prusak, Head of Marketing, Clariant Masterbatches North America. "Many colors are no longer available directly from the resin companies. That's why Clariant's Specialty Compounding group is stepping in to fill the gap."
Recently, hundreds of resin grades – including various grades of ABS, PC PBT, PPO, PPE and many others – have been affected by restructuring programs, Prusak said. The resins may be available only through distributors and pre-colored compounds can only be purchased in large quantities... if they are available at all. "In cases where the resin is available but specific colors have been discontinued, Clariant can source the natural polymer and deliver custom-colored Renol® compound. If an alternative grade is acceptable or a similar resin from another supplier is available, we will also be able to help," Prusak explained.
Most engineering materials are compounded and colored at Clariant plants in North America. Holden, Mass., and Albion, Mich., will be the primary production sites. For Asia – Singapore, Taiwan and, by the end of year, Shangahi will serve those markets and Europe will be served by Clariant's site in Ahrensberg, Germany. All these sites are supported by full development and testing laboratories to ensure that compounded materials maintain quality and performance properties.
Companies that need resins for medical devices and pharmaceutical packaging, requiring ISO 10093 and/or USP Class VI compliance and change-control assurances, can get them from Lewiston, ME, Malmo, Sweden and Singapore. Each of these plants are part of a dedicated network of ISO13485-certified Clariant plants where MEVOPUR® brand materials are produced. Specialty resins, including melt-processable fluoropolymers (e.g.: ETFE, FEP) as well as high-temperature polymers like polysulfones and polyetheretherketone (PEEK), are also available in batch quantities as small as 25 kg.
If customers prefer to purchase uncolored resin or have inventory on hand, Clariant also can provide color masterbatch formulated to their specific grade, color and quantity requirements. Both Renol® pellets and HiFormer® liquid masterbatch are available for certain selected polymers. This approach to the market expected to be especially beneficial to manufacturers of electrical products and appliances, since many of these devices and the components in them contain engineering plastics that need to meet flammability-resistance standards promulgated by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Many of the sites mentioned above can also provide Renol® masterbatch or compounds that comply with UL 94 flame rating such as HB or up to V0 applications.
