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Sample report for adhesive category. Other reports may vary in format.
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| 15.07xEA - Block Copolymers - European Adhesives
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This raw material report on styrene block copolymers (BCPs) (Europe / European Adhesives Industry) includes information on the various polymers in which the homopolymer units exist as distinct domains, typically SIS and SBS copolymers. Examples include such trade name products as KRATONÒ (Shell Chemical Co.), VECTORÒ (Dexco Polymers), SOLPRENEÒ (Enichem Elastomers) and STEREONÒ (Firestone Tire & Rubber).
These unique polymers, also known as thermoplastic rubbers, introduced commercially in the mid-1960s, differ in chemical and physical properties from the conventional random SBR copolymers. The molecular configuration consists of polystyrene end blocks and elastomeric mid blocks, or domains. The polystyrene end blocks associate with each other at ambient temperature forming a pseudo-crosslinked structure similar to a vulcanized elastomer. However, unlike chemically vulcanized elastomers, these structures disassociate at elevated temperatures. This characteristic allows styrene block copolymers to be effectively used in hot melt adhesives requiring elastomeric-like performance properties and melt rheology compatibility with use in conventional hot melt application equipment. Block copolymers covering a range of molecular weights and containing various end block/mid block copolymer ratios are available.
Behind this simple overview hides an extremely complex technology. For most products, it involves a two step polymerization to create the two polymeric domains and coupling reaction to link them.
The elastomeric mid blocks are conventionally butadiene or isoprene based, hence the terminology, SBS = styrene-butadiene-styrene, and SIS, styrene-isoprene-styrene. Shell’s Kraton G products, known conventionally as SEBS, are believed to be hydrogenated derivatives of SBS.
From a cost perspective, SBS products have a significant advantage in that butadiene is an industrial commodity with the usual trend line for pricing. Isoprene on the other hand has a very narrow market with users either producing for themselves or buying on long term contract.
As might be gathered from this simple overview, there is plenty of latitude for variation of the molecular weights of the domains and the degree of coupling i.e., 1, 2, 3 or even 4 styrene domains per one mid block.
Firestone’s range of Stereon SBS products are somewhat different in that they are produced with an adaptation of random SBR technology. While there is some degree of control of the chemical nature of the polymer backbone, there is much less block character than their competitors’ products. While this limits the performance range of these products, it is believed that this provides Firestone with a much lower process cost.
The commercialization of thermoplastic elastomers had the good fortune to happen when the developed world was just beginning to become concerned about air quality. Major solvent based adhesive applications for pressure sensitive tapes and labels were an obvious target for BCP marketers. Equally significant was the series of oil shocks that occurred shortly thereafter, rapidly escalating solvent and energy costs and adding a strong impetus to plans that had already been put into action in response to air quality management needs.
Styrene block copolymers are also blended with numerous other elastomers and polymers (such as natural rubber), SBR, or ethylene vinyl acetate to modify rheological properties (such as viscosity reduction in the case of natural rubber solutions) or creating a degree of elastomeric character in EVA hot melt.
Adhesives are not the only application for BCPs. In fact, even though global demand in adhesive applications is quite high, it is unlikely that the adhesives volumes and prices alone could have supported the investment necessary for the complex manufacturing technology. Substantial markets exist for BCPs outside adhesives. Examples are molded rubber goods (such as shoes and weather stripping), impact resistance additives for plastic products, viscosity index modifiers (for lubricating oils) and modifiers for asphalt road paving. Some of these applications are believed to be substantially more margin-rich than adhesives. This resin classification report on block copolymers estimates 2003 demand with a historical perspective back to 1998 as well as forecasts through 2008 within the Europe / European Adhesives Industry. |
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| Report Table of Contents |
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Block Copolymers Report - Europe / European Adhesives Industry - RAW MATERIAL Market
Market Information - Forecasting Size and Growth Trends
Regional Information - Forecasting Trends
Market Segmentation Information and Driving Forces
Formulative Technology Information – Forecasting Size and Growth Trends
Growth Opportunities – Size and Growth Trend
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