Arkema, the world’s number 1 for specialty polyamides, expands its offering with Rilsan® S, a new biosourced polyamide 6.10 range, partially processed from castor oil. Manufactured at its Zhangjiagang facility in China, it closes the gap between long-chain polyamides and PA6/PA6.6.
Rilsan® S offers an alternative to long-chain polyamides and PA6/PA6.6 while benefiting from Arkema’s specialty polyamides differentiation in terms of innovation, quality, service and 70 years’ experience in polyamides.
Leadership sustained by unique integration
Arkema is the only chemicals manufacturer to offer expertise spanning over 70 years in the chemistry of castor oil, the raw material for its Rilsan® polyamide 11. This position was bolstered in 2012 by the acquisition of Chinese companies Casda, the world leader in sebacic acid derived from castor oil, and Hipro Polymers, which produces polyamides also from castor oil (Hiprolon® PA6.10, PA10.10, PA10.12), as well as the recent purchase of a stake in Ihsedu Agrochem, a subsidiary of Jayant Agro in India which specializes in the production of castor oil. Building on its unique integration and an already unsurpassed offering in high performance polyamides, Arkema has now enhanced its product range with Rilsan® S partially processed from castor oil.
An unrivaled polyamide offering in the market
Arkema’s PA6.10 is closing the gap between PA6 and PA6.6 on the one hand, and long-chain polyamides (PA10.10, PA10.12, PA12, PA11) on the other, which are already part of Arkema’s product range. In addition to good processability and high abrasion resistance (comparable with PA12), Rilsan® S offers good chemical resistance to fuels, coolants, lubricants, greases and oils, as well as fuel and CO2 permeability, while it exceeds the long-chain polyamides’ thermal resistance and rigidity, in particular when reinforced with glassfiber. Zinc chloride resistance is fair, even if not matching the tremendous performance of long-chain polyamides. Highly versatile for many assembly processes, Rilsan® S can offer weldability both on PA6/PA6.6 and on long-chain polyamides. Thanks to this unique and patented formulation expertise, Arkema is able to produce any type of PA6.10-based alloys, all offering excellent bonding properties towards all types of polyamide materials. Furthermore, Rilsan® S offers incomparable dimensional stability when considering PA6/PA6.6. Finally, Arkema’s Rilsan® S consists of up to 62% renewable carbon, contributing to reducing the consumption of non-renewable resources.
Rilsan® S also benefits from what sets Arkema’s polyamides apart in terms of quality, services (it qualifies for the exclusive RcycleTM offer of service which covers the collection, sorting and recycling of waste, and the development of a range of recycled polymers), and technical possibilities.
The various Rilsan® S grades already available cover most applications in the field of transport (in particular for fluid transfer quick connectors), monofilaments and injection molded parts for automotive, sports or electronics applications.
“This innovation has been developed to meet the most pressing needs of our customers who are looking for a credible higher performance alternative to PA6 or PA6.6 polyamides, in the most demanding markets looking for better dimensional stability and chemical resistance. We are pleased to be able to provide a solution that suits our customers’ medium to long term capacity and competitiveness needs”, explains José Teixeira Pires, General Manager for Long-Chain Polyamides and Alloys.
A global reach
With its three monomer plants, four polymerization plants, and four R&D centers on three continents, Arkema’s high performance polyamides business, which includes Rilsan® in particular, works with its customers around the world to fulfil their specific requirements.
With global brands like Rilsamid® 12 and Pebax®, unique products manufactured from renewable resources like Rilsan® 11 polyamide, Rilsan® HT (High Temperature), Pebax® Rnew and Platamid® Rnew, and leading capacities in polyamides 11, 12 and 10, Arkema’s specialty polymers business stands out in the industry by providing its customers with global coverage and superior regional service from production facilities and research centers in Europe, Asia, and the USA.
Arkema has over 30 years’ experience and innovation at the service of the automotive industry with an extensive range of advanced materials designed to meet current and future specifications.
A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema is building the future of the chemical industry every day. Deploying a responsible, innovation-based approach, we produce state-of-the-art specialty chemicals that provide customers with practical solutions to such challenges as climate change, access to drinking water, the future of energy, fossil fuel preservation and the need for lighter materials. With operations in more than 50 countries, some 19,000 employees and 13 research centers, Arkema generates annual revenue of €7.5 billion, and holds leadership positions in all its markets with a portfolio of internationally recognized brands.