Modern technology is increasing the demand for high-performance components and creating opportunities for epoxy-anhydride systems to offer solutions in a variety of new applications. Filament-wound components, prepregs, bulk and sheet-molding compounds, and optically clear encapsulants are just some of the areas where epoxy-anhydride cure systems offer new and exciting options in demanding service environments.

Novel applications for epoxy-anhydride cure systems means new property requirements. For example, traditional epoxy-anhydride chemistry focuses on maximizing Tg and heat resistance; modern applications require a more careful balance of heat resistance and toughness. Similarly, traditional applications are tolerant of some coloration whereas new applications may require a water-white product. On the processing side, epoxy-anhydride cure systems need to maximize throughput without requiring new and expensive assets. This means finding ways to reduce curing temperatures and curing times. With the correct formulation, you can create a high-value epoxy-resin cure system that meets these challenges and provides a competitive edge.

In this video, our thought leaders provide further insight into the challenging new requirements epoxy-anhydride cure systems must meet. As the series continues, we will tackle different aspects of formulating mono/dianhydride blends with accelerators to help achieve the results you need.

Epoxy-Anhydride  Formulating Tips from the Experts

Jayhawk Fine Chemicals, Crosslink Technologies, Evonik, and Dixie Chemicals performed a study on a variety of specialty anhydride cure systems, with an emphasis on accelerator selection. The results of this study provide a foundation for improving epoxy-anhydride formulations and for creating new growth opportunities for formulators.

Thought leaders from these companies sat together to discuss the results as part of an informative video series. If you missed our last video, Formulating Tips for Epoxy-Anhydride Cure Systems 6: Processing Considerations, be sure to check it out. If you have any questions or comments, please contact a member of the team.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel using the link below to get notifications with each new release. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us directly.

Epoxy-anhydride cure systems impart outstanding physical, mechanical, and electrical properties for a variety of critical applications. Fabricated parts are resistant to high-peak and continuous-use temperatures, retaining their properties in extreme operating conditions. With some basic processing and formulation considerations, you can utilize DGEBA class resins and create a high-performance epoxy at a competitive price point.

In the video below, our expert panel discuss processing considerations for epoxy-anhydride resin systems. We explore ways to overcome some of the perceived challenges in epoxy processing such as how to incorporate solid dianhydrides into a liquid resin. We also cover the use of monoanhydrides as reactive diluents and co-curatives along with other key topics. With proper formulation, blended curatives deliver the physical properties you seek in an elegant, easy-to-use, and cost-effective manner.

As the series continues, the panel will address specific process and formulation considerations to fully leverage epoxy-anhydride cure systems. Topics will include how to determine the correct levels of dianhydride and monoanhydride loading; and how to choose the correct accelerator for epoxy-anhydride cure system systems; and other formulation concerns to help give you a competitive edge.

A Comparative Analysis of Epoxy-Anhydride Cure Systems

Specialty anhydride and formulating experts from Jayhawk Fine Chemicals, Crosslink Technologies, Evonik, and Dixie Chemicals performed a study on a variety of specialty anhydride cure systems, with an emphasis on accelerator selection. The results provide valuable data and guidelines to help with your formulations and form the basis of our video series.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel using the link below to receive notifications with each new release. If you missed it, make sure you check out our previous post Formulating Tips for Epoxy-Anhydride Cure Systems 5: Modern ApplicationsBe sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel using the link below to get notifications with each new release. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us directly.

The market for high-temperature, high-endurance epoxy polymers continues to grow. This growth is largely driven by demand for consumer and automotive electronics to be more durable, lighter, increasingly compact, and able to function in various environments. As expectations increase, specifications normally found in niche products are becoming widespread in commercial versions. Epoxy-anhydride cure systems have a long tradition of meeting stringent specifications and continue to provide the best, most efficient path for epoxy formulators.

In the video below, our expert panel discusses the exciting growth in demand for epoxy-anhydride cure systems. In the next video, they will discuss how brand-new applications for anhydride cured epoxy resin provide even more opportunities for growth.

Investigation on Epoxy-Anhydride Cure Systems from specialty anhydride and formulating experts

To help you take advantage of the growing demand for epoxy-anhydride systems, Jayhawk Fine Chemicals, Crosslink Technologies, Evonik, and Dixie Chemicals completed an investigation into a variety of anhydride curatives, with a focus on accelerator selection. These results offer valuable data and guidelines for new users or experienced formulators looking to improve on epoxy resin performance.

Experts from these companies discuss the key benefits and applications of epoxy-anhydride cure systems. Previous videos review historic applications and the value proposition of epoxy-anhydride cure systems, as well as the need to dispel misconceptions. The next video will discuss how future technologies are providing even more opportunities to expand the market. After that, our panel will begin to discuss processing considerations and specific formulations to achieve the results you need.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel using the link below to get notifications with each new release. Please contact the Jayhawk team directly if you have any questions or comments.

Readily available epoxy chemistries such as amine curing technologies dominate the market, but are they the best option when parts must retain critical physical, mechanical and electrical properties at higher temperatures for sustainable periods of time? General education and training naturally focus on widely applicable chemistries rather than niche formulations for high-performance applications. While multifunctional epoxy resins can increase performance using standard epoxy curatives, using specialty anhydride curatives is often the better option.

In the following video, our expert panel discusses specific examples of a lack of exposure to epoxy-anhydride cure systems leading to misconceptions and users overlooking the benefits of anhydride curing technology. In future videos, we will look at specific applications and emerging technologies where you can gain a competitive advantage with epoxy-anhydride cure systems.

Investigation into Epoxy Systems from Fine Chemical & Formulating Experts

To provide more information on epoxy-anhydride formulations, Jayhawk Fine Chemicals, Crosslink Technologies, Evonik, and Dixie Chemicals performed an investigation into various anhydride cure systems, with an added focus on accelerator selection. The results of this study provide key formulating tips to help ensure you select the best possible epoxy resin cure system for your specific applications.

Thought leaders from these companies sat down to discuss the results of this investigation and share their combined industry experience with specialty anhydrides and epoxy resin formulation. These videos provide valuable insight into the application of epoxy-anhydride cure systems as well as guidance on formulation and accelerator selection.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel using the link below to get notifications with each new release. Please contact the Jayhawk team directly if you have any questions or comments.

In Video 2 of our series on epoxy-anhydride cure systems, our panel of experts discuss the advantages of using DGEBA epoxy resins with anhydride cure systems as a creative alternative to more complex and expensive multifunctional epoxies.

If you need to formulate an epoxy system that maintains its physical, mechanical, and electrical properties when exposed to high-temperature environments for sustainable periods, epoxy-anhydride cure systems provide an elegant, cost-effective solution. Formulators use epoxy-anhydride cure systems in the manufacture of adhesives, wire enamels, potting compounds, and various other components for smart phones, electric motors, protective coatings and more.

Investigating Epoxy-Anhydride Cure Systems

Utilizing epoxy-anhydride cure systems allow you to meet the highest specifications at an improved price point. Over the course of this video series, our experts discuss the practical application of epoxy-anhydride cure systems and provide data and tips to help with formulations. The data are based on a recent study into various epoxy-anhydride cure systems, with a focus on accelerator selection. This video series will provide valuable insights to formulators at any experience level.

If you missed our last video, see Formulating Tips for Epoxy-Anhydride Cure Systems: Benefits and Successes. The next video will discuss Processing Considerations when formulating epoxy-anhydride cure systems. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel using the link below to get notifications with each new release. You can also contact the Jayhawk team directly if you have any general queries.

This video is part of a joint initiative by Jayhawk Fine Chemicals, Crosslink Technologies, Evonik and Dixie Chemicals to support the advancement of epoxy-anhydride cure system technology.

Modern technology demands specialized materials that function in extreme environments. Even as performance requirements increase, there is pressure to achieve results at the best possible price point. But balancing processing/property requirements such as curing temperature, curing cycle, heat resistance and toughness is no easy task. Specialized, multifunctional epoxy resins offer one path. But what if you can achieve the results you seek at a lower cost by using traditional DGEBA epoxy resins?

With a history of use dating back to the 1960s, anhydrides are time-tested and versatile thermal curatives for epoxy resins. While they represent legacy technology, epoxy-anhydride cure systems produce modern components for products including smartphones and electric vehicles.

Investigation into Epoxy Systems from Fine Chemical & Formulating Experts

Jayhawk Fine Chemicals, Crosslink Technologies, Evonik, and Dixie Chemicals collaborated on a robust investigation of various epoxy-anhydride cure systems, with a focus on accelerator selection. The results of this study will provide you with applied data and helpful tips to help formulate epoxy cure systems.

Thought leaders from these companies sat down to discuss the results and share their combined industry experience. We are excited to release this discussion as a series of videos to provide you with valuable insights into epoxy resin cure systems and key formulating tips.

The first video provides a review of the benefits and successes of epoxy-anhydride systems. Future editions will expand on a variety of related topics and provide you with further guidance. If you have experience using epoxy-anhydride cure systems or are considering them for the first time, these short videos will offer valuable and insightful information. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel using the link below to get notifications of each new release. If you have any general queries, feel free to contact the Jayhawk team directly.

Fine chemical custom manufacturers occupy a complex global landscape characterized by various pressures: increasing make-or-buy decisions; more stringent environmental guidelines; novel methods of securing sales channels and partnerships. Each of these challenges comes silver-lined by opportunity, with significant levels of investment presenting chances for cooperation and successful business growth.

Jayhawk recently entered a strategic partnership with the leading European chemicals company CABB. This transatlantic partnership has fostered significant business growth for both entities and is expected to continue paying dividends in the coming business years as the companies draw closer together. With a secure foothold in the US and Europe, the CABB-Jayhawk partnership is uniquely poised to provide extensive fine chemical custom manufacturing services worldwide, with core competencies in fields as varied as the synthesis of active ingredients (AIs) and intermediates for agrochemicals, as well as chemical building blocks for specialties.

Now, the team would like to invite you to learn more about our unique arrangement at Chemspec Europe 2019.

Outlining Chemspec Europe 2019

In 2019, Chemspec Europe enters into its 34^th edition. The exhibition has developed an outstanding international reputation as a platform for industry experts, professionals, and thought leaders to share their insights from the mutable fine chemicals market. Exhibitors from across the world will join CABB and Jayhawk to discuss business opportunities, market trends, regulatory issues, and technical innovations in specialty and fine chemicals manufacturing and supply.

The Jayhawk team will be exhibiting alongside a host of professionals, sharing our expertise in overcoming industry challenges for a variety of agrochemical and specialty customers.

Meet the Fine Chemicals Team at Chemspec Europe

Jayhawk Fine Chemicals Corporation entered the CABB network in late 2018. This will be the team’s first Chemspec Europe as part of the global enterprise of specialty and fine chemicals manufacturers that continues to defy expectations in terms of cooperative performance in the complex global fine chemicals marketplace.

If you would like to book an appointment to talk with a member of the Jayhawk team at Chemspec Europe, please do not hesitate to contact us here.

In recent years, a flurry of merger and acquisition activity re-established and strengthened the first tier of agrochemical companies with pack leaders emerging, including: Syngenta, Bayer, BASF, and Corteva. Business models have shifted from vertically-integrated product companies in favor of innovators and marketers of agrochemicals and seed technologies. Asset ownership and product manufacturing is now heavily sub-contracted to a wide contingent of fine chemical custom manufacturing partners, where the CABB-JAYHAWK alliance features prominently.

Changes to the Second Tier of Agrochemicals

The assortment of companies in the second tier has responded to the significant realignments of those above them. Second-tier agrochemicals companies have found success in their own right with a slew of mergers, acquisitions and collaborations,  changing both strata of the agrochemicals market.

Here are just a few examples that highlight how the second tier of agrochemicals has emulated the shift characteristic of the new first tier:

• Adama Agricultural Solutions: Born from the ChemChina acquisition of Makhteshim Agan in 2017, ADAMA has grown into a full-portfolio provider of agrochemicals and seed treatment products. Operating on multiple continents and serving the world market, ADAMA leads the new second tier.
• FMC Corporation: FMC has evolved into an agrochemical sciences company, having acquired parts of the former DuPont Crop Protection after a business swap in 2017, and having divested its Lithium and machinery businesses as FMC Technologies and Livent Corporation, respectively. FMC is solely focused on crop protection, plant health, and professional pest and turf management.
• Sumitomo Chemical: After a reorganization in 2011, Sumitomo’s Health & Crop Sciences Sector built their Total Solution Provider (TSP) business into a portfolio of agriculture-related products and services. These included crop protection chemicals, fertilizers, and agricultural materials. Collaborations with then-Monsanto, then-DuPont, and a merger with Excel Crop Care in 2018, provided additional assets for Sumitomo’s continued growth.
• UPL: A traditional Indian manufacturer, UPL’s acquisition of Arysta Life Science in 2018 resulted in another consolidated provider of crop protection products and seed and soil applied technologies. UPL’s strategic partnership with Evonik enables further opportunities for UPL in adjuvants and formulated systems.
• Nufarm: Australia’s contribution to the second tier, Nufarm is active on multiple continents. Recent partnerships with Sumitomo Chemical, and an acquisition of BASF’s Trunemco seed treatment business have expanded Nufarm’s offerings. A preference for toll-manufacturers has kept Nufarm focused on the marketing of formulated products and solutions.

This is consistent with the overarching global realignment of top agrochemical players worldwide, with increasing numbers of agricultural companies looking to optimize their products, services, or supply chains with external partners.

Agrochemical Services from CABB and JAYHAWK

The CABB-JAYHAWK partnership provides transatlantic custom fine chemical manufacturing services with extensive experience in the synthesis of chemical building blocks, active ingredients (AIs), and intermediates for a range of environmentally responsible agrochemical products.

If you would like detailed information about external manufacturing arrangements with our team, please do not hesitate to contact us.

When it comes to finding the right outsourcing partner for a fine chemical custom manufacturing project, many factors must be considered. The primary objective is to correctly match the needs of the customer with the core competencies and track record of the prospective service provider. Getting the right fit is critical to success and long-term security of supply in every project, including Suzuki coupling for agrochemical active intermediates, complex chemical synthesis for pharmaceutical intermediates, or hazardous materials handling for chemical custom manufacturing.

Beyond technical competencies, the ability of a custom chemical manufacturer to offer solutions for managing assets and reducing costs can make the difference between a marginal project and an extremely successful one. Cost-sharing programs have emerged as a powerful tool for achieving these goals, and are an ideal opportunity for both customer and service provider to reap benefits.

Low-Cost Asset Additions for Chemical Custom Manufacturing

Imagine successfully hitting all targets on an introductory product launch. Initial volume requirements were small, but yield, quality, and costs met specification and confidence is suddenly high. Growing demand for the product means scaling up and production expansion is imminent. Continuing with the same custom manufacturer requires more assets on site. A simple solution may be to add a holding vessel, or a storage tank to maintain bulk inventory.

Unfortunately, costs may exceed budget, but the assets could be equally valuable to the chemical custom manufacturing partner. Sharing the cost of this asset addition, or any similar investments, would benefit both parties and minimize their individual contributions.

Fine Chemical Custom Manufacturing of Co-Products

A superior custom chemical manufacturing partner will always be looking for ways to improve efficiency in the manufacturing and disposal process. One avenue for this is co-product streams. These could be either for current customers or those in totally unrelated markets. However, developing these streams could take significant investment.

The easy solution would focus on the narrow needs of the project, which would mean lost cost recovery. A better approach is to collaborate with the chemical custom manufacturer to examine how to share costs and lower the barriers to tapping this new opportunity.

Sharing the Cost of Waste Streams

Creative outlets for waste streams add value and reduce environmental impacts. Consider the customer who could utilize repurposed waste streams as products in their own manufacturing process at a lower cost than their own sourcing of virgin materials. This could be a huge benefit as it opens a new income stream while reducing waste disposal costs. The easy answer is to do nothing and continue the project as originally negotiated. But creative thinking and collaboration always produce the best results.

Fine Chemical Custom Manufacturing with Jayhawk

Being resourceful and having a partner who is willing to think beyond the basics will enable maximum leverage from custom chemical manufacturing projects and provide a competitive advantage.

The Jayhawk-CABB partnership is one of the world leaders in fine chemical custom manufacturing. We are intuitively aware of the benefits of cost-sharing programs. If you have specific sourcing needs or are facing challenges in the chemical custom manufacturing or specialty chemicals marketplace, we would be interested to hear your thoughts. Feel free to contact a member of our team today.

Fine chemical synthesis encompasses a broad variety of active ingredients and advanced intermediates used in downstream chemical manufacturing or formulation into end-products. Examples include glufosinate, an active ingredient in agrochemical herbicides for crop protection; and oxydiphthalic anhydride, a co-monomer for polyimides used in consumer electronics and aerospace.

While large, multinational producers focus on commodity chemicals, smaller, custom manufacturers specialize in niche fine chemical synthesis at deliberately lower volumes. When customers look to source and purchase these high-value goods on a regular, sustainable basis, which of these sales channels is best?

Fine Chemical Synthesis and Volume Requirements

Depending on volume requirements, exclusivity of the molecule, and perhaps certain contractual arrangements, customers may source fine chemicals (a) directly from the manufacturer or (b) via sales channel partners.

Local channel partners comprise virtual and physical distributors, as well as sales agents. These serve a vital role in the fine chemicals supply chain, providing the manufacturer with a host of competitive advantages.

The obvious benefit of local companies is that they speak the native language. They are integrated into the local culture which can put customers at ease. Response to quality, delivery, regulatory, and basic technical issues is simplified, with familiar contacts in the customer’s time zone often working the same daily hours. If customers have not planned their forecasts accurately, products are often available from local safety stocks. Sales channel partners provide market intelligence and can help shape the manufacturer’s regional strategy.

Customers appreciative of the value provided by local sales channel partners accept a higher price point for goods and services. In cases where larger volumes dictate direct business with the manufacturer, cost position can certainly be improved. Oftentimes, however, local service and support are the priority – particularly for high-value fine chemicals.

Occasionally, sales channel partners are mismatched with the customer base they intend to serve. Some customers may prefer the one-stop shop approach of large, multi-national distribution companies, almost rivaling the scale of the manufacturers they represent. However, others may seek out smaller, often family-owned-and-operated businesses that offer more personalized service and support, like a peer company relatable to the customer’s own business.  The right fit is critical to both parties.

Jayhawk Fine Chemicals products and services are available from these smaller, specialized sales channel partners to “channel” our business culture directly into local regions and markets.

Jayhawk: Empowering Customers with Fine Chemical Solutions

Jayhawk is a member of the global CABB network of fine chemical custom manufacturing partners, blending our global reach with a local mindset. Learn more about specialty chemical manufacturing at Jayhawk, or contact a member of the team directly if you have any questions.