Intermediates, also known as reaction intermediates, play a key role in the chemical industry, affecting chemical outcomes to generate a wide variety of products. Technically speaking in the context of the chemical industry, intermediates are themselves the product of a chemical reaction, but we think of them as the initial building block for starting another reaction that will yield our final application. 

Intermediates, along with monomers and base polymers, are foundational in the production of everything from epoxy resins to protective coatings. Think of intermediates as another tool in your chemical arsenal, to help you optimize products that meet a variety of customer needs.

Examples of Industrial Chemical Intermediates

One example of an intermediate is adipic acid dihydrazide, which has a pair of key uses in chemical reactions. Formulators may use ADH for cross-linking of water-based emulsions, as well as a hardening agent for certain epoxy resins. The intermediate diacetone acrylamide is used for cross-linking in waterborne acrylic emulsions.

Hexamethylenetetramine, also commonly known as hexamine, is used in the production of phenolic resins and phenolic resin molding compounds, as a hardening agent. We see wide application of these resins and compounds as binders, in products ranging from nonwoven textiles to fireproofing materials, abrasive products, and automotive uses.

At Gantrade, we use intermediates, along with their monomer and base polymer counterparts, to create a variety of applications:

• Epoxy Resins
• Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Materials
• Protective Coatings
• Adhesives
• Phenolic Resins
• Keto-Hydrazide Crosslinking of Acrylic Emulsions