Songwon (Ulsan / South Korea; www.songwon.com) has started production of “Songnox” 5650 high molecular weight, multi-function phenolic antioxidants at its Panoli plant in Gujarat / India. The company said the new production of the antioxidant, which is used for elastomers and adhesives, ensures worldwide availability.

Songwon started producing the product at Panoli in September. It acquired the site from SeQuent in 2014 (see Plasteurope.com of 08.08.2014). “In the last three years, Songwon has continuously invested in the Panoli site to develop it into a hub for specialty chemicals, including Songnox 5650,” said Elena Scaltritti, leader for polymer stabilisers.

Songnox 5650 is a non-staining antioxidant used mainly as a post-polymerisation process stabiliser for unsaturated elastomers. Songwon said it is suitable for a variety of elastomers, including polybutadiene, polyisoprene, emulsion styrene butadiene, nitrile rubber, carboxylated styrene-butadiene-rubber latex and styrene copolymers. It can also be used in hot melt, solvent-based adhesives as well as natural and synthetic tackifier resins.

Thomas Schmutz, leader for technical service & application development, said the antioxidant can match the performance of stabilisers that have to be used in much larger amounts. “As a result of its very low volatility, there is virtually no product loss during polymer processing, drying or storage,” he explained.