RJA Feature-Latex

Rubber Journal Asia Synthetic Polymers and Latex

New applications and developments to spur growth Synthetic polymers and latex have been widely used in an array of applications such as packaging and coatings, construction materials, consumer electronics, medical equipment and agriculture.

The recently staged Latex and Synthetic Polymer Dispersions conference, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, highlighted development studies and innovations for a modestly growing sector that is banking on demand, according to Angelica Buan.

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S research firm Kline & Company expects the synthetic latex polymers industry to grow by 10% this year. Based on its study, the European Union (EU) is the second largest consumer after the US, and in 2011, the combined consumption of the 27 states in the EU was close to 2.5 million dry tonnes of latex polymers, valued at over EUR6 billion.

It adds that polymer dispersion consumption in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Turkey is significantly smaller than the major EU states, yet these regions show potential for growth. Demand will be spurred by applications for paper, paints and coatings as well as adhesives and sealants. Nonetheless, growth rates differ and in general, growth will be moderate over the next few years, says the Kline report.

Applications for paper, paints and coatings as well as adhesives and sealants will drive the demand for polymer and latex dispersions

Compliance with the REACH initiative has resulted in various modifications in the use of substances covered by the regulation. For instance, in Europe, water-based paints are replacing solventbased paints in the market, thus boosting favourable demand for synthetic latex polymers.

REACH a driving force hile in some cases, stringent regulations serve as obstacles for development, such is Latching on to advancements for future growth not the case with the implementation of Europe’s pplications for polymer dispersions and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and latices are varied. The water-based mixtures/ Restriction of Chemicals) programme for polymers. preparations are used as binder, primarily in paints, Also, the United Nations globally harmonised system surface coatings, adhesives, non-wovens, plasters (UN GHS) is used for classification and labelling of and carpet backing. They also find applications in chemicals in Europe. paper and textile sectors as The goal for the REACH “..the synthetic latex polymers finishing agents. initiative is to uplift and The 8th Smithers consolidate the knowledge industry will grow by 10% Rapra conference on Latex base of the European this year..� and Synthetic Polymer SME polymer industry, Dispersions, held in Kuala especially since the initiative Lumpur from 10-11 September, gave the 140+ encompasses application of novel techniques, delegates a broad picture of the industry. new technologies and innovative instruments Amongst the experts who shared technical and methods that offer environmental as well as insights on the various facets of the sector was economic advantages to the industry.

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Rubber Journal Asia Synthetic Polymers and Latex Professor Ho Chee Cheong, an adjunct professor at to produce rubber-like polyurethane from palm the University Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia. He kernel oil. The innovation has been produced at described the scientific principles underlying latex UKM’s 500 kg/cycle-capacity pilot plant. dipping and the pre-requisites for a barrier device for She says that the rising cost of petrol in gloves, as part of his talk on the influence of surface Malaysia was one reason why the research phenomena on the latex dipping process for gloves. department was prompted to develop the He says that the essential part of gloves, which is alternative synthetic material from sustainable the latex (as the material), should be able to form a materials. And since palm oil is abundant in the continuous film and be resistant to any pathogens to country, her team utilised it for the project. Badri efficiently render a barrier device to the gloves. also said that the basic reactant, the palm-based “The material should be soft and conform to the ester, is already in a pre-commercialisation phase. contour of the hand,” he said, adding that it should Hardi Tamm of Estonia-based Korymbos, a also give a good working surface so that it can research and technology development company, provide the wearer with the necessary grip. touched on the allergenic potential of synthetic Ho emphasised the non-deformable requisite. “The latex gloves versus those dipped in natural rubber. material for the gloves must be mechanically strong Meanwhile, the use of gamma radiation enough for it to be stretched and elastic enough for it sterlisation from the onset of the glove making to return to its original shape,” he said. Furthermore, process, as a means of prevulcanisation, to the he said that the material should exhibit low surface end of the production process, was discussed by friction to enable the wearer’s hand to slide easily both Dr Rosamma Alex of the Rubber Research into the glove. An important aspect of Ho’s topic Institute of India (RRII) and Eric Beers of is that latex needs to be able to form a film, and Nordion, a Canadian company that provides thereby, the particles sterilisation of the latex must be “…..rising cost of petrol is prompting techniques. fused together to form a

The versatility the development of alternative continuous film. of natural latex Another expert, Aik was demonstrated synthetic material from sustainable Hwee Eng of glove

by Dr Azura A. maker Ansell, discussed Rashid of Universiti materials…” about the production of Sains Malaysia an antimicrobial glove via a modern dipping method. who explained how natural latex can be used for According to Joseph L. Keddie and Alexander cleaning compression moulds.

Francis Routh in the paper titled “Fundamentals Innovative polymer synthesis in the of Latex Film Formation”, the processing of latex manufacture of latex dispersions was covered by film involves several steps “from dilution through Dr Joachim Storsberg, Head of the Department to concentrated dispersion into a packed array of Functional Medical Polymers of the German particles and eventually into a continuous polymer Fraunhofer Institute. In his presentation, he film.” The process is split into three steps: drying, explained that dispersions can be used to facilitate particle deformation and diffusion. modification of the surface properties of different The environmental side of the industry was materials. Furthermore, “synthesis and analysis covered by two presentations from the Malaysian are essential in respect to residues of reactive Rubber Board (MRB). Muhammad Syaarani reagents,” he said.

Danya presented comparison works involving Sören Butz of synthetic latex emulsion resins complexometric titration (a form of volumetric maker Synthomer spoke about how more “clever” analysis in which the formation of a coloured chemistry could be used to tailor-make pressurecomplex is used to indicate the end point of a sensitive adhesives. titration) of magnesium content in field and Rounding up the presentations were David concentrated latices by using KCN (potassium Hill of David Hill and Associates who focused cyanide). He added that cyanide-free compound as on process validation of dipped condoms and masking agents can be used instead. gloves while Dr Bert Krutzer of Dutch polymers Also from MRB, Dr Devaraj Veerasamy maker Kraton provided a comparison between presented the use of ultrafiltration to process latex. the newest latex for dipping, polyisoprene latex, In a similar vein, Professor Khairah Haji Badri, with natural rubber. The conference ended with of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), RRII’s Dr Siby Varghese and Mahatma Gandhi showed how natural resources such as palm oil University’s Professor Sabu Thomas describing can be used to create useful polymers. She said the the latest advances and applications in the field of latest development in a pre-vulcanisation technique nanotechnology.

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