Clariant Mining Solutions introduces emulsifier ARKOMON XP 1014

• ARKOMON XP 1014 offers significantly better stability for longer shelf life
• The emulsifier produces a 20% smaller droplet size for higher velocity of detonation

HOUSTON (U.S.A.), October 16, 2014 – Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals and the world’s leading supplier of ether amines to the mining industry, introduces ARKOMON XP 1014, a new emulsifier specifically designed to work with low density ammonium nitrate (LDAN). This new product, offered by Clariant Mining Solutions, enables LDAN to be used in emulsion explosives to deliver consistent, reliable blast results.

"Clariant’s ARKOMON XP 1014 gives explosives producers the flexibility to use widely-available LDAN for manufacturing emulsions, offering greater stability for longer storage of the emulsion," says Finlay Morrison, Vice President of Clariant Mining Solutions. "Explosives producers will see that using ARKOMON XP 1014 delivers consistent blast results with low quality LDAN in emulsion, resulting in significant savings for companies."

ARKOMON XP 1014 is not affected by ingredients found in porous LDAN, which often cause destabilization and crystallization of the emulsion. This new product forms emulsions that are highly stable and water resistant - key factors in reducing oxides of nitrogen emissions. Mining operations and explosives companies can achieve an emulsion shelf life measured in weeks, rather than days or hours, giving them more flexibility to store the emulsion or account for delays in the blasting process.

This new emulsifier from Clariant is used at the same dosage rates as standard emulsifiers using high density ammonium nitrate (HDAN). ARKOMON XP 1014 produces a 20% smaller droplet size than standard emulsifiers, resulting in a higher velocity of detonation. This allows the emulsion to more effectively use available blast energy, which results in a more uniform muckpile and controls downstream processing costs. With ARKOMON XP 1014, explosive manufacturer now have the flexibility to choose the type of ammonium nitrate that best suits the application and cost profile.