Renewable raw materials

Renewable and natural raw materials in the chemical industry have long been more than just a trend. For us, this kind of sustainability forms the foundation of our responsibility to human beings and nature. Always on the hunt for information, innovation and quality, we are expanding our product portfolio for you! Discover our renewable, water-based binders as well as a series of pigment compounds, and let yourself be inspired by the diversity of nature's products. You can also find out about current availability of Fischer-Tropsch waxes.

New generation of water-based binders to reduce dependency on the oil industry

APPRETAN® NTR

With the APPRETAN® NTR products, our business partner Archroma has introduced a new generation of water-based binders with a content of renewable raw materials to reduce dependence on the oil industry. This should help to reduce their impact on climate change, the ecosystem and the health of human beings, and at the same time decrease dependence on the oil industry. Consumer efforts in favor of sustainably and responsibly produced goods are thus catered to.

Around one third of the active content of APPRETAN® NTR is based on renewable raw materials, namely polysaccharides. This reduces consumption of fossil resources by the same amount, without incurring any compromises in performance.

Appretan® NTR contains neither biocides nor alkylphenolethoxylates (APEO), nor does it release any formaldehyde*. It has deliberately been formulated to achieve its optimum properties even at low process temperatures. This means additional energy can be saved depending on the process.

Appretan® NTR was developed for chemical stabilization of non-woven materials for technical textiles. It demonstrates excellent film-forming properties and very hydrophobic behavior. What’s more, the prominent chemistry of this binder ensures resistance to water, mild solvents, oils and greases and at the same time increases both wet and dry tensile strength. Appretan® NTR meets the strict BfR XXXVI/1 standard for contact with foodstuffs. It can also be used in combination with crosslinking agents.

Important properties:

• Acrylic copolymer contains 1/3 renewable raw materials
• Hydrophobic and strong film-formation
• Formaldehyde-free*
• No biocides
• APEO-free

One product from the NTR series, for example, is Appretan® NTR6553 liq. It has a Tg value of +15, excellent film-forming properties, is not self-crosslinking yet has good cross-linking ability, and complies with standards for contact with foodstuffs (FDA 176.170 & 176.180, BfR XXXVI and XXXVI-1). It can be used in a huge variety of applications, for example for non-woven materials, technical fabrics, teabags, filter fleeces, etc.

* None of the components used in the manufacturing process contains formaldehyde, but traces of formaldehyde cannot be ruled out.


What else is new

HOSTATINT™ 500
Hostatint™ 500 represents a range of pigment preparations which is free of binding agents and alkylphenolethoxylate (APEO) additives. These pigment preparations are particularly suitable for water-based, low VOC and solvent-based decorative coatings.  The Hostatint™ 500 series, which is based on organic pigments, develops outstanding color strength and high chroma in the base paints.

Availability of Fischer-Tropsch waxes back to normal

During the first half of 2020, stocks of Fischer-Tropsch waxes fell sharply on the market. This was due to the prolonged shut down of one of the biggest manufacturers in this product group. Although other manufacturers intervened to close the gap, the capacities were not sufficient to meet all the demands of the market. Hence, a material shortage emerged and not all requirements could be met in full.

Although all production units have been back in operation since the late summer, the supply chain and the warehouse stocks were essentially emptied during the first half of the year. Partly thanks to weak demand in certain industries and applications, which was caused by interruptions to production as a result of COVID-19, warehouse stocks are now back to normal and the material is easy to get hold of, while certain industries are already bouncing back in the second half of this year.

TER Chemicals is one of the leading suppliers of Fischer-Tropsch waxes on the European market and distributes Shell GTL SARAWAX and Evonik Vestowax products. These products are used in a variety of applications, for example as lubricants, as mold separating agents and in the paper industry. Micronized products are used in printing inks and varnishes to improve abrasion resistance, mattification and scratch resistance. Fischer-Tropsch waxes are also used for production of adhesives and polishes.


Any questions? Please contact me!
Jens Vinke

Head of Business Unit CASE
Phone: +49 40 300 501 8013
Email: j.vinke[at]tergroup.com