Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.
recently announced the commercial
availability of Inherent C18 Diacid —
a mid-chain length, bio-based diacid
— that enables producers of polyamides and polyurethanes, lubricants and
adhesives to significantly expand their
portfolios with cost-competitive products that demonstrate performance not
possible from products made with more
common, shorter-chain diacids according to the firm.
Elevance’s unique, efficient process
to produce C18 diacid, also known as
octadecanedioic acid or ODDA, uses
materials produced from its world-scale
biorefinery in Gresik, Indonesia. The process allows Elevance to make Inherent
C18 Diacid with the purity required for
demanding applications like polymers at
a cost that is competitive with other specialty diacids in the marketplace, according to the company.
As a diacid, or if converted to diamine, a C18 diacid enables the creation
of more than a dozen new base polymers
that can result in more than a hundred
new compounds or formulations. For
example, Inherent C18 Diacid will allow polyamides to enter new automotive
and electronic applications that demand
better hydrolytic performance, improved
optical properties and greater material
toughness or flexibility.
Using Inherent C18 Diacid in polyester polyols enables the creation of new,
previously unattainable pre-polymers,
helping polyurethane manufacturers create polymers with exceptional solvent
resistance, hydrolytic stability, optical
clarity and toughness that will benefit
automotive, food service, medical and
other markets.
Shimadzu Launches
Next-Generation FTIR
Spectrophotometer
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments Inc. has
introduced the IRTracer-100 Fourier
Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectropho-
tometer. Combining high speed, sen-
sitivity and resolution with enhanced
expandability and easy-to-use software,
the IRTracer-100 quickly and easily ob-
tains high-quality data for samples in
such fields as chemicals and electronics
according to the company.
The IRTracer-100 offers best-in-class
60,000:1 S/N ratio, which allows re-
searchers to quickly and easily obtain
high-quality data of ultra-small con-
taminants. Resolution of 0.25 cm-1 pro-
vides for highly accurate quantitation
and identification. In addition, a rapid
scan function allows rapid sample ac-
quisitions of 20 spectra per second. This
enables analysis of reactions occurring
within a few seconds, and kinetic studies
occurring in less than one second.
The IRTracer-100 features a stable,
airtight interferometer that incorporates
a built-in automatic dehumidifier, pro-
tecting the unit against moisture and
other environmental influences. In ad-
dition, the patented Advanced Dynamic
Alignment system, sampling at over
5,000 times per second, works in combi-
nation with a smooth-moving mirror to
ensure optimum performance, enhanced
stability and shorter warm-up times.
Self-diagnostics and monitoring tech-
nology allow for quick, easy instrument
management. The IRTracer’s validation
program enables easy verification of the
instrument’s performance. This program
complies with U.S., European, Japanese
and Chinese pharmacopeias, and with
ASTM specifications.
Optimized for network applications,
new LabSolutions IR Series software
offers intuitive operation, high-level
administrative functions, secure data
management, and a variety of data ma-
nipulation functions. It includes an ex-
tensive library of nearly 12,000 spectra
as well as a high-performance search
function for easier identification of un-
known samples. A unique Print Template
function allows easy creation and print-
ing of custom reports. In addition, the
“Easy Macro” program allows users to
effortlessly create macros for routine
tasks. This improves productivity and
allows even novice FTIR users to easily
operate the IRTracer-100.
Arkema Launches New
Waterborne Alkyd Polymer
for Coatings
Arkema Coating Resins has introduced
Synaqua 4804 waterborne alkyd. This
new binder is an APEO and ammonia-free short oil alkyd emulsion designed for
use in a wide variety of coatings in which
performance similar to solvent-based
alkyds is desired. It offers the coatings
formulator a low-VOC option to develop
high-gloss products with the application
feel of a solvent-based alkyd.
Synaqua 4804 binder provides high-gloss potential and excellent gloss retention, very good hardness, quick dry
time, low yellowing, good stability with
anticorrosive pigments, good application characteristics and excellent performance in blends with other technologies,
including styrene acrylics, acrylics and
polyurethane dispersions.
Atlas Introduces the New
Xenotest 440 Xenon
Weathering Instrument
Atlas Material Testing Technology has
introduced a new weathering instrument
suitable for performing accelerated test-
ing on a variety of materials.
According to the company, the
Xenotest 440 sets a new standard in
economical, mid-sized, air-cooled xe-
non devices. Designed for fast and
economical testing, the Xenotest 440
combines new XenoLogic lamp operat-
ing technology with an efficient design,
which includes ultrasonic humidifiers to
reduce water consumption.
XenoLogic is a new twin-lamp op-
erating technology, which enables the
Elevance Offers Bio-Based
Inherent C18 Diacid
