Solvay Advanced Polymers to introduce new UDEL LCD Polysulfone for Membranes
Lower cyclic dimer (LCD) reduces scaling and promotes longer run times
Alpharetta, Ga. -- Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C., will introduce UDEL P-3500 LCD, a low cyclic dimer polysulfone, at the International Conference on Membranes (ICOM) being held in Toulouse, France, July 8-13, 2002. In conjunction with the product introduction, the company will present a technical paper discussing research that supports the product's performance.
UDEL P-3500 LCD is designed specifically for membranes and offers a number of economic advantages for manufacturers of membranes. According to Judy Melville, Solvay Advanced Polymers’ global industry manager for membranes, this marks a significant improvement over UDEL P-3500, a material that has been used successfully in the industry for over 20 years.
"This new material is an important addition to our portfolio of sulfone polymers," said Melville, "and is the first in a series of resins we plan to introduce over the next several years that have been developed specifically with the needs of membrane manufacturers and their end users in mind."
Membranes are semi-permeable barriers that allow certain substances such as water to pass through, while other substances like bacteria and viruses are selectively separated and not allowed to pass through. Typical applications include water purification (both potable and waste), medical filtration, and gas separation, as well as a variety of industrial filtration applications such as food and beverage processing.
The advantages of UDEL P-3500 LCD are attributed to the lower level of cyclic dimer present in the polymer. Thus, the name LCD. Cyclic dimer, normally produced during the manufacturing of polysulfone, can lead to ‘scaling’ within the vessels and pipes used in the membrane manufacturing process. This build-up can cause disruptions in operations since equipment may need to be shut down and cleaned.
UDEL P-3500 LCD can improve the stability and shelf life of the dope solution used during solution processing, which may translate to greater efficiencies in the overall fabrication process.
In addition, UDEL P-3500 LCD may offer a number of technical advantages such as higher fiber strength for fewer fiber breaks and more consistent filtration, plus fewer surface defects. Both factors can help improve membrane performance and production yield.
UDEL P-3500 LCD has NSF approval for use in potable water applications and FDA approval for repeated contact with food products. This material is now available in commercial quantities and is manufactured at the company’s plant in Marietta, Ohio, which will be expanded in 2002 as previously announced.
About Sulfone Polymers
Sulfone polymers are high-performance, amorphous engineering thermoplastics. They are used in a variety of demanding applications that require high end-use temperatures, excellent chemical resistance, superior dimensional and hydrolytic stability, transparency and toughness. Industrial applications include aerospace, medical, business machines, plumbing, automotive, fiber optics, electrical/electronics, and food and beverage.
Solvay Advanced Polymers manufactures a comprehensive line of sulfone polymers at its Marietta, Ohio, facility. The portfolio includes RADEL® R polyphenylsulfone, RADEL® A polyethersulfone, UDEL® polysulfone, MINDEL® polysulfone blends and the recently introduced ACUDEL™ polyphenylsulfone blends.
About Solvay Advanced Polymers
Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C. is an indirect subsidiary of Solvay America, Inc., the U.S. holding company of Solvay, S.A. The company produces high-performance polymers that are used in a wide range of demanding applications in the automotive, aerospace, industrial, food service, medical and electronics industries worldwide. Solvay Advanced Polymers products include IXEF® polyarylamide and PRIMEF® polyphenylene sulfide product lines of Solvay, S.A. combined with a portfolio of materials that had comprised BP Amoco's engineering resins business. For more information about this and other Solvay Advanced Polymers products and services, please visit our website at www.solvayadvancedpolymers.com.
Solvay S.A. is an international pharmaceuticals and chemicals group with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, employing about 32,000 people in 50 countries. In 2001, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 8.7 billion generated by its four activity sectors: Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Plastics and Processing. Solvay is listed in the Euronext 100 index of top European companies. Details are available at www.solvay.com.
