CHEMICAL & POLYMER INSIGHTS

Gantrade and Tiarco-RST: Partners in Surfactants and Dispersants for Emulsion Polymerizations

Emulsion polymerization is the most widely employed industrial technology for a very broad range of polymer families and markets.  Polymer types include acrylics, vinyl-acrylics, polyvinyl acetate and copolymers, styrenics, polyvinyl chloride, styrene-butadiene copolymers, polyurethanes, epoxies, and alkyd emulsions. 

 

Emulsion Polymerization:  A Growth Technology

Emulsion polymerization as a manufacturing technology and emulsion polymers are experiencing high growth based on their environmental benefits, lower investment costs, the wide versatility in polymer designs possible, and end-application advantages versus solution polymerization processes. The value of the global emulsion polymers market was estimated to be greater than $40 Billion in 2019 with a CAGR of about 6 percent. The major end-use markets are paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, and paper & paper board. Emulsion polymer innovations are expected to further drive growth in new products and applications in the months and years to come.

Gantrade and Tiarco-RST: Working Together to Promote Emulsion Polymerization

Gantrade and Tiarco-RST have teamed up to offer a broad portfolio of monomers, surfactants, dispersants, rheology modifiers, specialty chemicals, and industry-leading expertise to the emulsion polymerization industry.  Our surfactant portfolio and associated technologies are widely used as emulsifiers to control the particle size as well as particle size distribution in emulsion polymerizations, minimize grit formation and coagulum, and improve the stability and characteristics of the final emulsion polymer systems.

Together, we offer a comprehensive range of organic surfactants and blends through our partnership, to meet the new opportunities afforded by the emulsion polymerization process.  Tiarco-RST specializes in the production of a wide spectrum of fatty alcohol and ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfates, as well as numerous other surfactant types.  While Tiarco is capable of producing large quantities of standard formulations, they also excel in developing unique solutions for customers.  Take a look at the following listing of available surfactant types by category.

Anionic Surfactants

Anionic surfactants have a hydrophilic negative charge on the head position of a hydrophobic molecule.  With sufficient concentrations of anion surfactants in water, these molecules aggregate to form micelles where the anionic head groups are oriented towards the water and the protective tail portion of the molecules associate in the center of the micelles.   Gantrade and Tiarco provide a wide variety of anionic surfactants with good emulsification characteristics as summarized in the guide below.  The list includes:

  • Alkyl Sulfates
  • Alkyl Ether Sulfates
  • Alpha Olefin Sulfates

Please see our guide to anionic surfactants below:

Product Active Chemical Name Applications
Stanfax 969 (3 mole) 60 Ammonium Laureth Sulfate Emulsion Polymerization, Paints & Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants & Related Products
Stanfax 1012 (12 mole) 30
Stanfax 1026 (3 mole) 27
Stanfax 1045 (2 mole) 25
Stanfax 1094 (11 mole) 30
Stanfax 238 27.5 Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate Ditto
Stanfax 998 HV
Stanfax 998
Stanfax 1061 30 Ammonium Decyl Sulfate Ditto and penetrants
Stanfax 1033 (2 mole) 32 Ammonium Octyl/Decyl Ditto and high foaming either sulfate agent
Stanfax 967 30 Sodium Decyl Sulfate Ditto and Emulsifier dispersant, wetting agent

 

 

 

 

Product Active Chemical Name Applications
Stanfax 1024 HV 25 Sodium Laureth Sulfate High Viscosity
Stanfax 1024 (1 mole) Emulsion Polymerization, Paints & Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants & Related Products
Stanfax 1022 (2 mole) 25.5 Ditto
Stanfax 1022 UM (2 mole)
Stanfax 1023 (3 mole) 28.5
Stanfax 1015 (3 mole) 60
Stanfax 1066 (12 mole) 30
Stanfax 234 29.5 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Ditto
Stanfax 234 LCP
Stanfax 1025
Stanfax 1007 33 Sodium Octyl Sulfate Ditto and wetting agent and dispersants
Stanfax 1089 32 Ammonium Nonyl Phenolethoxy Sulfate Ditto
Stanfax 972 40 Triethanolamine Lauryl Sulfate Ditto
Stanfax 560 22 Sodium Dodecyl Benzenesulfonate Ditto and anionic wetting agent

 

 

Amphoteric Surfactants

Amphoteric surfactants have a dual charge, both positive and negative, on the head position of a hydrophobic molecule end. The positive and negative charges neutralize each other creating a net zero charge. The pH of the emulsion will control the functional charge of the head position.. In acidic solutions, amphoteric surfactants will exhibit a positive charge, similar to cationic surfactants. In basic solutions, amphoterics develop a negative charge, similar to anionic surfactants.

The range of amphoteric surfactants we offer are summarized below.

  • Alkyl Betaines
  • Alkyl Sultanes
  • Alkanolamides
  • Alkylbenzene sulfonates
  • Concentrates

With these offerings, you can see that Gantrade specializes in the synthesis and manufacturing of both anionic and amphoteric surfactants. In addition, we can sulfate most organic alcohols to meet specific needs. 

Specialty Blends

Surfactant blends, specially formulated to meet the diverse coating needs of a broad range of latex applications, are effective with SBR, VAE, EVA, Acrylics, Vinyl Acrylics, SBR-X (carboxylated), and many other aqueous latex dispersions. These blends are compatible with most fillers, thickeners, and auxiliaries. Designed to be both cost-effective and efficient at low usage levels, these products provide the formulator with a full range of coating capabilities.

Take a look at the table of specialty blends available from Gantrade and our trusted partner, Tiarco-RST:

Product Active CFTA/Chemical Name Typical Applications
Stanfax 525 33 Proprietary Blend of Surfactants and Dispersants High-efficiency foamer, which provides excellent foam stabilizations properties, viscosity builder. Enhances froth viscosity and rheological properties
Stanfax 167-M 35 Proprietary Blend of Surfactants and Dispersants Premium foaming efficiency, combined with high level of foam stabilizer properties, viscosity builder. Enhances froth viscosity and rheological properties
Stanfax 509 31 Proprietary Blend of Surfactants and Dispersants Moderate foaming efficiency, very high level of foam stabilization properties
Stanfax 561 26 Proprietary Blend of Surfactants and Dispersants Enhanced foaming properties designed for commercial coating applications where bundle penetration is desired
Stanfax 565 29 Proprietary Blend of Surfactants and Dispersants High efficiency foamer, which provides excellent foam stabilization properties, viscosity builder. Enhances froth viscosity and rheological properties

 


 

Partner for Your Success

Together, Gantrade and Tiarco-RST offer a broad portfolio of monomers, intermediates, polymers, crosslinking chemistries, surfactants, rheology modifiers, dispersants, and related products that help to advance performance dimensions in emulsion-based paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, inks and more.  Our combined teams and capabilities are always available to assist customers with formulation challenges and to tailor new products that can offer distinctive performance advantages. Whatever your specialty requirements, we welcome the opportunity to work jointly to enhance the performance of your products. Contact Gantrade today to get started

 

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