CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH -- CVC Thermoset Specialties, an Emerald Performance Materials Company, has successfully commercialized a new platform for its Hypro Reactive Liquid Polymer product line based on hydroxy-functional polybutadiene (HTPB) technology. The new HTPB technology platform not only expands the range of materials offered by the company, but the diol reactive end groups also enable the reactive liquid polymers (RLPs) to be used in polyurethane systems, a new market for RLPs. CVC continues to implement its multiphase capacity expansion program to accommodate both new products and growing global demand for its products.

"CVC Thermoset Specialties is committed to being a technology leader," said John Cech, president of the CVC Thermoset Specialties division. "With our expertise in providing specialty polymers and resins based on butadiene and acrylonitrile chemistry as well as a wide range of epoxy materials, we can offer customers unique products which create value through enhanced performance of their end-products."

The initial product in the new RLP family is Hypro 2800X95 HTB. As a hydroxy functional material, it may be used as a polyol in polyurethane systems. With hydroxyl numbers ranging from 2.4-2.6 and a viscosity of 5000-6000 cps, Hypro 2800X95 is well suited for production of urethanes that are very soft and flexible, even at low temperatures, and exhibits excellent water/moisture resistance. These are desirable features in applications such as window sealants, electrical encapsulants, and urethane adhesives.

Growth of CVCs RLP products including the new HTB line has been possible through planned expansion of the Akron Plant capacity. The first phase of the capacity expansion was completed late in 2010 when the company commissioned a new reactor system. The second phase included the addition of new bulk storage and handling equipment will be completed this fall. The third phase is expected to be completed later next year and will result in an additional 25 percent capacity expansion.

In addition to the HTPBs, CVC manufactures a broad base of specialty RLPs. Other Hypro RLP products include butadiene/acrylonitrile elastomers with carboxyl, methacrylate vinyl, amine or epoxy functional end groups These functional end groups enable the RLPs to react into a variety of polymer systems, such as epoxy, UPE, acrylic, polyamide, plastisol and vinyl esters. HyPox R series products are specialty epoxy materials modified using CTBN RLPs.

The new HTB product line follows the expansion of its product platform with the announced launch last fall of novel glycidyl ester based epoxy terminated RLPs. These unique products are epoxy functional elastomers that are Epichlorohydrin modified CTBs and CTBNs. As glycidyl ester epoxy terminated RLPs, they are solvent and resin free and provide higher Tg, peel strength and lower viscosity in formulations than traditional epoxy adducts.

CVC Thermoset Specialties is a leading producer of specialty epoxy resins, elastomer modified epoxy resins, reactive liquid polymers, epoxy functional monomers and modifiers, catalysts and accelerators. CVC products are sold worldwide and are integral components of coatings, adhesives, electrical potting compounds, encapsulants and composites.