The paper industry uses many different types of synthetic emulsion polymers: Carboxylated styrene-butadiene latex, styrene acrylic copolymers, acrylic polymer emulsions, and vinyl acetate containing emulsions are all used at various stages of papermaking and paper coating. These chemistry options are also used widely in the Packaging sector.
Functional barrier coatings, which resist penetration by water, water vapor, oil and grease, can be applied at the paper machine or converter. Barrier coatings used on packaging paper and paperboard protect the product and help extend shelf life. Mallard Creek Polymers (MCP) also supplies many water-based solutions for inks and coatings used in printing to provide protective and aesthetic value.
For masking tape and many other applications, emulsion polymers are used for saturation to increase strength and water or chemical resistance. For masking tape, release paper is often used in conjunction with a PSA, so the tape needs a coating with completely different characteristics. Rather than bonding, the coating must prevent a bond from forming. MCP manufactures polymer products that help provide this low-energy type of surface coating. MCP also has products specific to wet-end or beater addition. These grades are used in the papermaking process.
In carpet and textiles, emulsion polymers are used to improve functional and aesthetic properties. The main goal in using an emulsion polymer is to improve the performance characteristics of the textile. It's generally applied as part of the finishing operation and is typically intended to be permanent.
MCP manufactures acrylic, styrene acrylic and styrene-butadiene polymers for incorporation into textile coating compounds. Emulsion polymers for textile applications provide a particular hand, adhesion to the fiber and strength. Polymer emulsions can be used to improve pilling and abrasion resistance or to provide firmness and moldability. Acylic emulsion polymers can be used in formulations to provide UV resistance in outdoor applications. MCP offers low-VOC products that can be used in green-certified applications.
The applications for adhesives are almost limitless. From shipping labels to construction adhesives, masking tape to removable films, adhesives are a fixture in everyday life. Formulating an adhesive is often about finding the right combination of tack, peel and shear for a given application and substrate.
MCP offers products to suit most surfaces, from metals like copper and stainless steel to glass and ceramics and even very low-energy surfaces like polyethylene. These products consist of many acrylic and styrene acrylic emulsion polymers, and styrene butadiene latexes that have a balance of properties to fit adhesive application requirements. Formulations can be created with Rovene® products by including tackifiers, fillers, pigments and additives as appropriate.
Synthetic latex polymers are used in the production of nonwovens to achieve the chemical bonding of the fibrous structure. They are used to overcome the limitations of nonwovens in properties such as structure, stiffness, strength, and dry cleaning capability. Synthetic latex polymers are selected on the basis of cost and performance characteristics like strength, durability, and compatibility with additives.
MCP makes binders suitable for application by froth, spray and saturation processes, with properties optimized for desired material penetration. Other polymer characteristics can be tailored to provide the required level of hand or flexibility. Acrylic polymer emulsions maintain whiteness upon UV exposure, while carboxylated styrene-butadiene binders are tough, yet flexible and provide outstanding wet strength.
Paints and coatings are used to protect substrates and provide required performance characteristics. The list of requirements for paints and coatings is broad and complex. Strength, flexibility, adhesion, and water resistance are just a few of the most common performance requirements. Meeting these requirements requires formulating with sophisticated polymers optimized for the specific application.
Rovene® and BarrierPro® polymer emulsions are designed for use in high-performance coatings. These products ensure outstanding performance in such applications as waterproofing, concrete coatings and sealers, external installation finishing systems (EIFS), running track, and elastomeric roof coatings.
With appropriate formulation, MCP latex polymers build strong, continuous films that provide excellent moisture vapor barrier properties, low water absorption rates, application at low temperatures, and adhesion to a variety of substrates.
There are many uses for synthetic emulsion polymers in Construction, whether building a home or a commercial property like a new school. A few key applications are waterproofing, structural adhesives, tracks and tennis courts, and road construction. Synthetic latex based cement products are used in a variety of applications such as asphalt modification, concrete repair systems, exterior masonry systems, grouts and mortars, flooring and bridge-deck structures.
MCP has a range of water-borne polymer products developed to help meet the challenging requirements for many construction applications. Intended for formulation into multiple applications such as waterproofing, textured and stucco coatings, adhesives, cement admixtures and asphalt modifiers, BarrierPro®, Tylac® and Rovene® products enhance properties like flexibility, adhesion to substrates, water resistance and durability. This family of construction polymers includes styrene butadiene latex, styrene acrylic and acrylic polymer emulsions, nitrile elastomers and thickeners.
MCP has products optimized for the many substrates found in packaging applications, such as coated paper, paperboard and flexible films. Surfaces look and perform better when coated with a styrene acrylic and acrylic polymer emulsions or with a styrene-butadiene latex, all of them designed to accept ink, create gloss, form a barrier, etc.
For graphic arts applications, MCP offers polymers that are designed with excellent runnability on gravure and flexographic printing and coating processes. Acrylic and styrene acrylic emulsion polymers are readily formulated into overprint varnishes and inks to impart water resistance, rub resistance, alkaline resistance, and high gloss.
Functional barrier coatings help extend shelf life of foods by providing a barrier to moisture vapor and oxygen, and they can provide oil, grease and water resistance. MCP has a line of styrene butadiene emulsion polymers that provide low moisture vapor transmission rates (MVTR) and excellent water resistance, while the Tykote® acrylic polymer emulsions deliver oil and grease resistance in formulated coatings.
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Construction
Nonwovens
Adhesives
Textiles
Printing & Packaging
Paper
Paints & Coatings
