globe

Chemicals & Polymers Blog

Explore Gantrade's News & Industry Articles

Polytrimethylene Ether Glycol (PO3G): 100% Bio-Based Polyol

Gantrade’s poly(trimethylene ether) glycols (PO3G) are 100% bio-based, linear high-performance liquid polyether polyols. This series of 100% sustainable content polyether polyols was commercialized by SK Chemicals in a newly completed production facility in Ulsan, South Korea. Introduced under the trade name ECOTRION, PO3G is derived from bio-based 1,3-propanediol, obtained through fermentation of industrial (non-food) corn. A ISO 14000 compliant life cycle analysis found that PO3G offers a lower environmental footprint including a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Read More »

Novel Aromatic Polyether Polyols for Polyurethane Applications

Aromatic polyether polyols offer significant potential product improvements to formulators in the coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE) arena. These polyols have many attributes, as they improve flammability resistance, thermal performance, hydrolytic stability, and mechanical properties of polyurethanes and polyureas. 

Read More »

5 Key Facts about HQEE

HQEE is the premier diol chain extender for MDI-based polyurethane elastomers. Compared to 1,4-butanediol, the workhorse of the industry, HQEE-MDI based polyurethanes exhibit a higher hard-block melt temperature, superior tensile properties, split-tear resistance, hardness and rigidity, resiliency, low hysteresis, and enhanced thermal aging performance. 

Read More »

New Superfund Tax Hits Chemicals in July 2022

A Superfund excise tax on chemicals has been signed into law and went into effect on July 1, 2022. The tax law is included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was signed into law on November 15, 2021. This law levies taxes on the manufacture, production, or importation of 42 specific chemicals and another 121 chemical substances.

Read More »

5 Key Facts on Polycaprolactone Polyols

When faced with improving the performance of polyurethane articles with respect to toughness, abrasion and cut-chip resistance; a broad thermal profile (low and high-temperature performance) and durability; chemical, oil, and solvent resistance; hydrolysis resistance; and processing, formulators turn to Gantrade’s variety of polycaprolactone polyol grades to maximize a broad cross-section of these parameters.

Read More »

5 Key Facts on PTMEG

Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol (PTMEG) is the premier polyether polyol used worldwide in the manufacture of high-performance polyurethane elastomers. Known for its many performance attributes and advantages, PTMEG is used in a variety of applications, including polyurethane elastomers, prepolymers, coatings, adhesives, cast polyurethane resins, TPUs, protective films, spandex fibers, and much more. 

Read More »

5 Key Facts on MPO

Gantrade offers 2-Methyl 1, 3- Propanediol (MPO), also known as methyl propanediol, to enhance unsaturated polyester resins, including both composites and gelcoats, as well as saturated polyester for coatings polyurethane, polycarbonate, and much more.

Read More »

Benchmarking Polycaprolactone Polyols Against PTMEG Polyols in Cast Elastomers and TPUs

Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol (PTMEG) is the premier polyether polyol used worldwide in the manufacture of high-performance polyurethane elastomers. Known for its unique performance attributes and processing advantages, PTMEG is used in a variety of applications across multiple industries.

Read More »

Applications of N-Butyl Acrylate

N-butyl acrylate (BA) is the largest-volume acrylate ester used in the production of all-acrylic, vinyl acrylic and styrene acrylic copolymers.  BA offers price-value and accounts for about 60 percent of the global acrylic ester monomer demand, with a consumption volume of over 2,000 kilo tons.  

For over 45 years, Gantrade has built lasting relationships worldwide, based on our ability to deliver quality products like BA consistently and cost-effectively. Let's take a look at why BA holds a special place in the market for acrylate esters.

Read More »

Applications of 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate (2-EHA)

What is Ethylhexyl Acrylate used for in polymers? 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate (2-EHA ) is a highly versatile building block that readily copolymerizes with a wide variety of other acrylic and vinyl monomers to tailor specific high molecular weight copolymer properties for a diverse range of non-rigid applications. 

Read More »