Waxes and EVA-copolymers – The Hidden Heroes

Specialty waxes are central to the production of an array of everyday products, including printed products, window frames, cables, lacquers and toners.

At our state-of-the-art high-pressure polymerization and wax oxidation plants in Leuna, Germany, we produce high quality polyethylene (PE) waxes and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) waxes for diverse end products.

Sold under the VISCOWAX^® brand, our waxes are used as processing aids to improve product properties, or to enable the use of specific processes.

VISCOWAX^®

• Non-oxidized PE-waxes
• Non-oxidized EVA-waxes
• Oxidized PE-waxes
• Oxidized EVA-waxes

Key applications:

• Coatings: printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, paper coating, corrosion protection
• Compounds: candles, hotmelts, insulating & cable compounds
• Emulsions: textile & leather processing, fruit coating
• Polishes: floor polish, shoe polish, car polish
• Release agents: plastics industry, aluminium die cast

Where there is movement of solvents in the form of filling, splashing or stirring, a static charge can be generated. For highly conductive liquids this charge can flow to the earthed vessel and then harmlessly to ground. However, if the conductivity of the liquid is low (50pS/m-2000pS/m), this charge can build and be released as a spark, which could lead to fire or explosion.

STATSAFE™ is a range of static dissipaters which improve production throughput, increase conductivity, reduce electrostatic hazards and protect manufacturing equipment in a variety of applications, including:

• Aluminum foil rolling
• Foil stamping
• Lubricants
• Paints, inks and adhesives (solvent handling)
• Pharmaceutical processing
• Polyolefins
• Anywhere low conductive liquids are in use

STATSAFE™ offers the following benefits:

For Polyolefin Manufactures

• Increased reactor throughput from higher solid concentration in reactor, reduced fouling and increased thermal stability
• Cost savings from higher plant capacity, fewer shutdowns for cleaning and low treat cost
• Food Contact approved grade available

For Flammable Solvents

• Increases conductivity of flammable solvents to safe levels
• Reduces risk of static discharge and consequent fires
• Protects equipment through reducing static related damage such as reactor pitting
• Helps meet regulatory requirements, including ATEX 137 and DSEAR
• Low dose rates provide excellent value

Our products include:

• STATSAFE 3000 for most solvents
• STATSAFE 6000 has food grade approval for polyolefin use
• STATSAFE 6000 has also been used in sensitive applications such as pharmaceuticals, foil rolling and coatings for food contact. Please note, no specific approvals for these applications can be provided