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Metathesis
“A boon to organic synthetic chemists, olefin metathesis also promises cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient industrial processes” – A. Maureen Rouhi, C&EN Washington
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Polymers |
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 Polymer manufacturers provide a broad range of products to meet diverse industry needs. These needs, which include mechanical performance, heat stability, processability, chemical/corrosion resistance, and toughness, are addressed under a strict price / performance relationship. For example, while 60 billion pounds of the commodity polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is sold annually at 35 cents per pound, only 2 billion pounds of higher value epoxy polymer is sold at $2-3 per pound. Industry buys the most economical polymer that satisfies its needs.
As with chemicals and pharmaceuticals, metathesis can be used to create entirely new polymers offering superior performance or cost advantages. Two current examples are Materia’s poly-dicyclopentadiene (pDCPD), a tough, resistant, and easily processed thermoset resin, and Lanxess’ hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR), a tough, resistant, and easily processed rubber. Both materials provide industry with superior performance at competitive economics and have been rapidly adopted. Materia estimates the market opportunity for pDCPD should surpass $1B.
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