Perstorp has a long tradition of polymer manufacturing. Early in the company’s history Perstorp manufactured its first polymer – Isolit. Advances have been made since then and today a host of polymer products are included in our product range – thermoset plastic materials along with Boltorn, Epicure and the newcomer Oxymer on the chemical side.
“A polymer is a large molecule, frequently an organic compound, comprising of numerous repeating units. The favourable characteristics of polymers, such as durability and higher melting points, occur as a result of these long molecule chains, resulting in a high molecular weight,” explains Perstorp Senior R&D Associate Stefan Lundmark. “Moreover, the properties are also determined by the so-called hierarchies to which all polymers give rise. These control aspects such as temperature tolerance, elasticity and the durability of the material.”
Competing materials include metals, ceramics, glass and composites, all of which have varying characteristics. In this context, polymers might seem like a relatively new material, but in fact they have always existed in their natural form – namely in our own DNA – Nature’s own polymer. Furthermore, materials such as rubber and various kinds of glue, both polymers, have been around for many years. The renowned Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius actually coined the term polymer in 1833.
“Developments have made it possible to manufacture synthetic polymers and a great deal has occurred over the past fifty years. It was, in fact, the decision to put a man on the moon that promoted the development of these advanced materials. Without polymers there would not, for example, have been any integrated circuits, which form the basis for today’s computers,” says Stefan Lundmark. “Now it’s also possible to manufacture natural polymers using synthetic means.”
Perstorp’s polymer thermoset plastics are frequently used in the electronics and hygiene industries, while polymers manufactured in the Group’s chemical operations are primarily used in environmentally friendly polyesters. The newest addition is Oxymer, a so-called polycarbonatediol that is actually a technology enabling Perstorp to adapt its other products according to the needs of its customers.
Perstorp Senior R&D Associate Birger Midelf is one of the people who worked on the project to develop Oxymer.
“A polycarbonate has good water resistance and works better outdoors than alternatives such as polyesters and polyethers. There was a push to enable Perstorp to develop new products of its own in existing application areas,” explains Birger Midelf, who points out that customers have been demanding just that. “The launch of Oxymer at the European Coatings Show 2005 in Nuremburg was well received. The product is now being manufactured at our pilot facility in order to send samples to several customers.”
The strength of Oxymer is that it is possible to manufacture out of most of Perstorp’s various polyols. Depending on which one is used, various characteristics can be achieved. For example, Oxymer based on Neo results in a high melting point, while BEPD results in a product that is liquid at room temperature and results in an end product that has a surface that will not crack.
“In conjunction with product development, Oxymers are being evaluated in our framework program for various paint applications – waterborne, UV tempered and powder, as well as in polyurethane elastomers, providing us with strong sales arguments and a technical basis for supporting our customers,” concludes Birger Midelf.
