Perstorp launches Capa™ Lactide 8000 Series polyols for high-performance sustainable polyurethanes at the European Coatings Show
Perstorp, the world’s largest producer of caprolactones, is unveiling a range of Capa™ Lactide copolymer polyols at the 2015 European Coatings Show in Nuremberg, Germany, on April 21-23. The three new diols and one triol provide polyurethane formulators with increased opportunities to create high performance products with reduced carbon footprints. Capa™ 8000 series grades can be used in a broad range of polyurethane coating formulations.
Capa™ Lactides are copolyesters of Perstorp’s well-known Capa™ caprolactone and renewable lactide monomers. Depending on grade, they have up to 50% renewable content. “The new products are characterized by the same high level of quality and consistency that users of current Capa™ caprolactone polyols are already familiar with,” says Jesper Fahlén, Global Product Manager Caprolactones.
All four new grades are low viscosity liquids with improved solubility, enabling formulators to reduce or even eliminate the use of solvents. With their medium molecular weight and low crystallinity, Capa™ Lactides provide polyols with properties that make them particularly suitable for soft-feel coatings. Coatings are characterized by high resistance to UV radiation, a property critical for consumer electronics and applications such as automotive interiors.
Capa™ Lactides are transparent, contributing to the optical qualities of coatings. Their low viscosity facilitates processing, while their high quality and consistency is hard to match by other renewable alternatives.
The new Capa™ Lactides are also highly suitable for formulating adhesives. They provide increased adhesion to highly polar substrates such as metal foils used in packaging laminates, for example. “Formulators in this consumer sector will also appreciate the increased level of sustainability the polyols provide via their renewable content,” notes Joel Neale, Project Manager Innovation.
Capa™ Lactides are also likely to find applications in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) adhesives. They provide high resistance to wear and abrasion, as well as to oils and chemicals. Their optical clarity and minimal haze ensure the appearance of adhesive joints and cast elastomers remains consistent throughout a product’s useful life.
Perstorp developed the Capa™ Lactides on its new pilot plant in Warrington, UK. The pilot plant is close to the company’s main production facility for Capa™ caprolactones, ensuring fast transfer from pilot to commercial scale.
A technology expert will be at the European Coatings Show, on the Perstorp stand 511 in Hall 7A, to discuss the new products.
Joel Neale will give a 20-minute talk about the new Capa™ Lactides in Hall 7, Stand no. 734 on April 22, starting at
14.50 hrs. He will introduce the first four products in the range and some of their potential applications.
For more information please contact:
Jesper Fahlén, Global Product Manager Caprolactones, +46 40 635 88 59
Kevin Noels, EMG, [email protected], +31 164 317 011