Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Addivant: Polyolefin Efficiently Replaces PVC in Flame Retardant Wire and Cable Thanks to New POLYBOND® Polymer Modifiers

MIDDLEBURY, Conn - Tuesday, June 4th 2013

(BUSINESS WIRE/ ME NewsWire)-- Addivant™ USA, LLC announces the introduction of new POLYBOND® polymer modifiers that allow halogen-free polyolefin compounds to efficiently replace PVC in flame retardant wire and cable solutions.

The replacement of PVC in wire and cable insulation and jacketing is driven by regulatory changes and consumers’ increased desire for sustainable solutions. This has developed an increased demand for halogen free polyolefin compounds for use in a growing number of wire and cable markets, such as transportation, electrical & electronic, building & construction and appliance applications. Currently, polyolefins are the most widely used polymers in the world, primarily due to their ease of processing, balance of mechanical properties versus cost and, with respect to the wire & cable market, good electrical properties. However, a major drawback with the use of polyolefins is that they are not inherently flame retardant like PVC. Traditional formulations to make polyolefins flame retardant used halogenated flame retardants, which produce heavy smoke and give off toxic, corrosive gasses during combustion.

To meet this demand, Addivant has introduced an innovative new portfolio of Linear Low Density Polyethylene based POLYBOND® polymer modifiers. When used in conjunction with halogen-free flame retardants such as Aluminum Tri Hydroxide (ATH) or Magnesium Hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), these new POLYBOND® polymer modifiers increase the flame retardant characteristics of polyolefins while providing the physical properties required in end use applications. POLYBOND® 3149 is a general purpose LLDPE, while POLYBOND® 3249 and POLYBOND® 3349 are technologically suited to applications requiring higher elongation values with reduced gel formation during mixing.

The new LLDPE based POLYBOND® polymer modifiers complement existing Addivant POLYBOND® polypropylene and high density polyethylene polymer modifiers, as well as the wide-ranging Addivant™ portfolio of wire and cable products, which include antioxidants, UV stabilizers, metal deactivators and customized, non-dusting blends of various additives. Global expert level technical support and R&D facilities allow Addivant™ to work with their wire and cable customers to customize solutions that best meet their specific market needs.

About Addivant

Addivant, the former Antioxidant and UV Stabilizer Solutions business of Chemtura Corporation, is the world’s largest producer of liquid phosphites, specialty antioxidants and additives in non-dust forms, including its patented ANOX® NDB® stabilizer blend technology that enables up to eight components to be delivered in a single homogeneous blend. Addivant is recognized industry-wide for its extensive portfolio of specialty additives including light stabilizers, polymer modifiers, polymerization inhibitors and intermediates. Addivant is an international company, with 11 plants on five continents, as well as research, manufacturing and sales facilities around the globe. Addivant maintains its global headquarters in Connecticut, USA, with regional headquarters in: Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia; Basel, Switzerland and Shanghai, China. Visit www.addivant.com for more information. Addivant is an independent portfolio company of SK Capital. Visit www.addivant.com for more information.

About SK Capital

SK Capital is a private investment firm focused on the specialty materials, chemicals and healthcare sectors. The firm has deep experience in and knowledge of Addivant’s products and end markets gained through previous and current portfolio companies in the polymers, plastics and associated additives sectors. Located in New York, NY and Boca Raton, FL, the firm is currently investing from SK Capital Partners III, L.P. a $500 million fund of committed capital. Its portfolio companies generate revenues of over $6.0 billion annually and employ more than 5,000 people. Visit www.skcapitalpartners.com for more information.

POLYBOND®, ANOX® and NDB® are brand names of Addivant.

Contacts

Addivant

Jeff DeWerth

Jeffery.DeWerth@addivant.com

+1 440.352.1719