Chemicals for polymers, plastics and rubber

Commodity polymers are rarely used as they leave the reactor. Compounders add phenolic and phosphite antioxidants to protect against heat during processing, plasticisers to make PVC flexible, metal stearates as lubricants and acid scavengers, epoxidised soybean oil as a costabiliser, and carbon black or titanium dioxide for colour and UV protection. Polymer producers also need radical initiators such as benzoyl peroxide and AIBN to start chain growth.

What Zemixal lists

Additives such as antioxidant 1010 and 168, DOTP, DINP, stearic acid and metal stearates are grouped in Specialty Chemicals. Fillers and pigments including titanium dioxide and carbon black come from Inorganics and Metals. Polymer testing laboratories use our solvents for extraction and GPC and our reagents for melt and migration tests.

Regulatory points to raise early

Phthalate plasticisers are restricted in toys, childcare articles and some food-contact uses in many markets, so specify whether you need a non-phthalate option. For packaging, the producer may be able to issue a food-contact statement, and we confirm this per product.

Organic peroxides are Class 5.2 dangerous goods. Some need temperature control during transit, which affects carrier choice and cost, so we quote them with routing confirmed.