Some Uses of Epoxy Soybean Oil

Epoxidized soyabean oil is a kind of epoxy plasticizers. Its molecular structure contains epoxy groups. It can absorb HCl produced by decomposition of PVC resin and block successive decomposition of PVC in resin processing. At the same time, it captures the free radicals Cl in the degradation of PVC resin and end the free radical reaction of Cl, which stabilizes the active chlorine atoms, slows down degradation speed and prolongs the life of PVC products. The performance is even better if it is used with metal stabilizers.

Epoxy soybean oil is well compatible with PVC and has a plasticization effect on PVC resin. It can be quickly dispersed in the PVC system therefore could be used to reduce the force of PVC polymer and increase the liquidity of the PVC.

What's more, adding a small amount of epoxy soybean oil in PVC molding process could maximize the operating conditions and processing efficiency, improve the surface quality and physical properties of PVC products, decrease energy costs.



ESO has a good heat resistance, light resistance, mutual permeability, low temperature flexibility, low volatility and is toxic-free, so it could be used in a wide range of applications, particularly for plasticizers of food grade and pharmaceutical plastic packaging material. The molecular weight increases when compound ESO with 12 alkyl thiol. If is used with amine or phenolic antioxidant, they can increase synergies, reduce the amount of antioxidants and cut product prices. Adding ESO to lubricant improves its corrosion, fatigue and wear performance.

Epoxidized soybean oil can be developed to various new products, such as propylene glycol ester of epoxidized fatty acid, epoxy soybean oil polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether, hydroxy-epoxidized soybean oil, epoxidized fatty acid esters, etc.
Besides, epoxidized soybean oil is more and more often used in applications like coatings and adhesives, because of its low cost, strong photosensitivity, excellent coated film performance and low viscosity. ESO is also introduced to plastics processing and plasticizer production industries as a nontoxic, plasticized and stable plastics additive. Read more here for ESO!
Source: https://www.okchem.com/news/uses-epoxidized-soybean-oil.html

Why Use ESO?

ESO is acronym for epoxidized soya bean. It mainly consists of linoleic acid (51%~57%), oleic acid (32%~36%), palmitic acid (2.4%~2.8%), stearic acid (4.4%~4.6%). It is pale yellow oily liquid with a relative density of 0.989. ESO is soluble in alkanes and most organic solvents, but slightly soluble in water.

Because of its good heat resistance, light resistance, inter permeability, low temperature flexibility as well as low volatility, harmless and green, ESO has a wide range of applications and particularly been used as plasticizers in food grade and pharmaceutical plastic packaging.

ESO oil is mostly used in PVC processing. The epoxy groups can capture free radical Cl- separated and degradated from PVC, the degradation of PVC free radical reactions, slow down degradation rate and improve light resistance, heat resistance and oil resistance of PVC products. It has plasticizing effect on PVC, also stablizes the active chlorine atoms in the PVC chain. It can absorb heat and light degradation of HCl quickly, thus blocking continuous decomposition of PVC.

Here are features of ESO:

1. Non-toxic

ESO meets the requirements of U.S. FDA food additive regulations, and obtain recognition of Japan JHPA (PVC food hygiene Association) PL specifications [B.7 (1)] (accreditation number J-7059). It is especially suitable for materials for food packaging and medical use.

2. Low Volatile and Migration Resistance

B-22 and B-22D has about 1000 molecular weight when used as plasticizers in PVC. Its volatile is 1/5 of DOP, but the solvent resistance is far superior to DOP.

3. Excellent Weather Resistance and Heat Resistance

When used with metal stabilizers together in PVC, B-22 has a synergistic effect, which greatly increases weather resistance, heat resistance and transparency of PVC resin, meanwhile, it reduces dosage of valium therefore cuts costs. Click here for more information!
Source: https://www.okchem.com/news/eso-use.html

Five Reasons for Chinese Titanium Dioxide Price Increase

The price of Chinese titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been raised since Spring Festival. Surprisingly, this raise came much earlier than the regular peak season raise. Chinese TiO2 manufacturers started their production in February, when part downstream factories hadn’t resumed the work after the holiday, many of them had sufficient stock for February and March. Here are five possible reasons for the unexpected price raise.

International Group of Titanium Dioxide Raised Their Prices

An average increase of $200 from large TiO2 groups abroad created profit margins for Chinese manufacturers and exporters. The rough RMB 1000 gap in price and export incentives encouraged Chinese TiO2 export.



Insufficient Production in China

Affected by funding, production costs, strict environmental regulations and other pressures, many Chinese TiO2 plants cut off part of their production lines for cost control. The price has raised as a result of tight supply

Downstream Panic

Some Chinese customers who had small amount inventory expected the price fall after Spring Festival, however the market was the opposite; plus the news of price raise were everywhere, which deepened the market panic, some customers began stock up and pushed the price to a higher level.

Price Increase of Titanium Concentrate

Before Chinese titanium dioxide raise, some titanium concentrate dealers in Panzhihua, a primary concentrate origin in China, had raised the price. Almost all TiO2 manufacturers have procurement offices near Panzhihua, and usually purchase at least six months quantity in advance, in order to ensure the production stability. The price of titanium concentrate was 5,60 yuan per ton (tax excluded) at the beginning of 2016 , now it is at least 1650 yuan per ton (tax excluded). Titanium concentrate price is also soaring in other countries.

Environmental Regulations

At the end of 2016, many titanium dioxide plants in Panzhihua was forced to shut down for environmental compliance. One of them couldn’t open for 3 weeks. Right after the Spring Festival in 2017, the Ministry of Environmental Protection started another round of environmental protection. The environmental regulation will continue to have an impact on chemical industry.

This round of price increase was more a result of these comprehensive factors, in stead of titanium dioxide plants’ unilateral intentions. The market reaction was relatively rational, many traders and end users took measures to control the price increase and ensure smooth transactions. Read more here!
Source:https://www.okchem.com/news/

PU Market News ( March 14th )

Yesterday, the market turnover of MDI market decreased. The average offers were 34,000 - 35,000 yuan per ton; some offers were up to 36,000-37,000 yuan per ton. As supply is still not clear at present, as a result, downstream market is still weak and buyers generally don’t stock up.

Up to now, the price in eastern China is 33,000-37,000 yuan per ton; Southern China is average 33,000-37,000 yuan per ton.

Yesterday, Chinese BDO market was stalemated. Although major manufacturers increased prices and traders followed the raise, the stimulation of the downstream are limited. The downstream market is still soft and asks for lower price, therefore transactions couldn’t be closed easily.

Eastern China market price of BDO is 11,500-12,000 yuan per ton; substantive closing price is about 10,900-11,300 yuan per ton; price of BDO in barrel packing is close to 11,500-12,050 Yuan per ton. Southern China market’s BDO offer is at 11,500-12,200 Yuan per ton; substantive closing price is around 11,000-11,400 Yuan per ton; Barrel packing is near 11,600-12,150 yuan per ton.



Chinese polymeric MDI market performance is weak. So far, Wanhua PM200 is near 25,900-26,000 yuan per ton. In Eastern China, M20S and 5005 is 25,700-26,000 yuan per ton; Wanhua PM200 is 25,900-26,000 yuan per ton. M20S and 44V20 produced in Shanghai is about 25,500-25,800 yuan per ton; Wanhua PM200 is near 25,900-26,000 yuan per ton in northern China; M20S and 44V20 produced in Shanghai is about 25,700-26,000 yuan per ton.

Chinese TDI market was relatively steady yesterday and the prices was not much different from earlier quotes. Latest regional quotes as follows: TDI produced in Shanghai is sold at 32,000-32,500 yuan per ton in the northern area including Shangdong; 32,000-32,300 yuan per ton in eastern China and around 30,500 yuan per ton (tax exclusive) in southern China. Read more here!
Source: https://www.okchem.com/news/pu-market-news-march-14th.html

Will THAAD Affect Chinese TDI Market

2016 import and export data showed that China imported 60% of TDI from South Korea and 30% from Japan. It is not a surprise that the prices are so volatile, as trans-regional transactions are generally more risky.

Chinese manufacturer controlled supply & buyers increased import
Last year, China TDI market was soft. Since the beginning of 2016, the production equipment malfunctions and reduction of output in China and abroad has led to market shortages. Therefore, last April Chinese customers have relied more on import. However, the market is in the low season, in addition, influenced by rain season in southern area, effects of toxic plastic track and other factors. buyers overall remained significant resistance. Although factory shutdown and other factors boosted the market, it still does not see substantial improvement. Factories had controlled the supply quantity since September, then customers turned to the imported sources.

Limited TDI import




Last year's import and export data showed that China has TDI annual capacity of 840,000 tons in 2016, but the total annual import amount of TDI in 2016 was only 28,200 tons. Therefore, China's total import amount of TDI is still limited, TDI from Korea also has a good upward potential.

Moreover, Chinese TDI export reached 136,000 tons last year, which sharply increased 85.99% compared to those of 2015. Meanwhile, the TDI export amount is far beyond the import.

On the one hand, a great amount of imported TDI is used for OEM and carrying trade. These import TDI benefit from zero import duty and the finished products are rarely sale in China. On the other hand, the transactions of global primary markets are relatively stagnant, in addition, downstream factories have difficulties in maintaining stable operations due to cost pressures. Therefore, the impact of THAAD on Chinese import should be minor.

If you have interest in TDI and would like to explore more details, please follow OKCHEM company page in LinkedIn! Read more here!
Source: https://www.okchem.com/news/

Ways To Select Matting Agents

Matting agents is a kind of outdoor powder coatings of matting resin, which has weather resistance, salt spray resistance, high-temperature-resistant and other properties.

Selecting suitable matting agents is decided by many factors, such as dry film properties and the applications. Besides, in the coating process, it should also take resistance of excessive grinding and the ease of dispersion into consideration. Surely, matting efficiency is the essential factor to selecting suitable matting agent for different coating systems. According to the different characteristics of paints, different properties of matting agent should be chose to math with them.



OKCHEM suggests selecting matting agents according to specific applied performance requirements:

To achieve an ideal extinction efficiency

1. Larger particle size. The larger the matting agents average particle size, the higher the extinction efficiency. However, large particles might lead to rough paint film surfaces and then affect the texture and appearance.

2. High porosity. If the porosity is high, powder content of per unit weight is high, therefore the extinction performance most likely turn out to be good.

To achieve an ideal transparency

1. Smaller particle size. In the cases of adding equal quantity in formula, if the average particle size of matting agent is smaller, transparency film is better. However, the corresponding matting will decrease. It should be noted that if the fine powder content is too high, it might have a negative impact on the transparency.

2. Surface treatment. Different matting powders surface treatments will affect the surface wetting and dispersion with the base materials, thus they affect the transparency of the paint film. Therefore, matting powder and base materials should be match and adjust to fit with each other. If necessary, it can be improved by adding wetting and dispersing additives. Besides, keep in mind that other factors could also contribute to the poor transparency of film.

To achieve an ideal smooth effect

1. Usually, the feel would be better when the surface is processed by organic flatting agent.

2. Particle size and particle size distribution.

To achieve an ideal suspension

Generally, matting agent will to a certain extent layered and precipitation with the extension of paint storage time. The anti-settling properties with organic treatment products on surface will be better. Adding appropriate anti-settling additives could reduce or avoid the sedimentation.

To achieve an ideal surface scratch resistance and wear resistance

The surface of matting agent with organic treatment, in some degrees, could improve paint film scratch and abrasion resistance. View more here.
Source: https://www.okchem.com/news/

Medical Implications of Tea Polyphenols

Natural antioxidant ingredients contained in some plants are much less toxic than those in synthetic antioxidants. Under the circumstances of nature respect, synthetic antioxidants are boycotted by customers increasingly because of it’s safety issues; meanwhile, many countries in the world are developing all kinds of natural antioxidants in order to replace synthetic antioxidants. The polyphenols found in tea as natural antioxidants are incomparable to those of other plants.
Tea is the most widely consumed plant-based beverage in the world. Three basic polyphenol groups can be distinguished in tea leaves: catechin, theaflavins and thearubigenes. Both green and black tea contains a similar quantity of flavonoids, differing in respect of their chemical structures. Green tea is characterized by a higher content of simple flavonoids-catechins which become transformed to more complex compounds during the fermentation of tea leaves. Other products of polyphenol oxidation are tannins.

The anticarcinogenic potential of tea polyphenols may be attributed to their ability to bind directly to carcinogens, induce Phase II enzymes such as UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDP-GT), and inhibit heterocyclic amine formation. Long-term ingestion of green tea increases UDP-GT activity, and the increased glucuronidation through UDP-GT induction is postulated to contribute to the anticarcinogenic effect of green tea. This facilitates the metabolism of chemical carcinogens into inactive products that are readily excreted.
Unique characteristics of green tea polyphenols include their ability to induce growth arrest and apoptosis in tumor cells, especially in epithelial-type cells, as well as protecting normal epithelial cells from carcinogens.The life span of both normal and cancer cells is significantly affected by the rate of apoptosis, a programmed type of cell death that differs from necrotic cell death and is regarded as a normal process of cell elimination. Intake of tea either as a liquid or as a tea extract may inhibit the development of cancers of the skin, lung, esophagus, stomach, liver, duodenum and small intestine, pancreas, colon, bladder, prostate, ovary, oral cavity, and mammary gland.
Tea polyphenols act as antioxidants and prevent tissues from damage by free radicals. They appear to protect genes from the mutagenic effects of environmental factors. Tea may be used as a therapeutic agent against premalignant lesions in the mouth. The polyphenols eliminate active forms of carcinogens and other toxicants, accounting for lower risk of cancer. Read more here!
Source: https://www.okchem.com/news/medical-implications-tea-polyphenols.html

Mechanism of matting agents

Matting agents is polypropylene acid ester with epoxy resin. It is the matting resin of outdoor powder coatings. Its good performance makes it can get 1-60% any gloss and suitable for gloss of 1-30% outdoor polyester powder extinction.



The matting agent surface with organic treatment has a certain degree of improvement on the paint film scratch and wear resistance of the surface. The larger the average particle size, the higher the extinction efficiency. Amount of matting agent depending on the resin system, solid content, dry film thickness, matting agent types, dry method and the required gloss.

Natural silica processing quartz sand (powder) by grinding, but it has more impurities content, its main components is silica, so it cannot called white carbon black, nor matting properties. So it only used as filler in paint. While white carbon black matting agents for paints mainly are synthetic silica, which is divided into fumed and precipitated white carbon black. The micro-structure is amorphous or glassy.

Varnish coating without matting agent presents a mirror film leveling state. When light reaches the mirror membrane surface, part of the incident light is absorbed and part is reflected, and reflection part makes the films luster. Film containing silica matting agents, white carbon black particles distributed evenly over paint film form a slightly rough surface. It can be seen that matting agent particles evenly distributed in the film from the film section of the scanning electron microscope photo. When the incident light reaches the rugged surface of the paint film to has diffuse reflection, that is scattering occurs matte low gloss and matte appearance. High porosity, optimal particle size distribution as well as proper surface treatment of silica matting agents can get the best matting effect. The selection about matting agents and more details will be explained next time, click here can help you get more news and knowledge about chemicals raw materials.
Source: https://www.okchem.com/news/mechanism-matting-agents.html

Precautions for use of anti skinning agent

The mechanism of anti-skinning agent are used to prevent coating crust related to the paint drying. It is related to polymerization process of paint and the effect of drier. If the paint film radical polymerization and accelerate action can be controlled, the effect of anti-skinning can be achieved. But such control must be based on need and cannot affect the paint dry rate, nor affect the performance and quality of paint.

During the storage of air-drying oxidative drying film coating, because of the surface in contact with air and solvent evaporation, it will take oxidative polymerization on the surface and form gel, this is commonly called paint skinning. Such film is insoluble, so it must be filtered out before paint construction. In order to prevent the occurrence of this phenomenon, anti-skinning agents is often used.

There are three categories of anti-skinning agents currently: phenols, thiols and oxime compounds, among which oxime compounds with minimal side-effects. methyl ethyl ketoxime has the best comprehensive performance in oxime compounds.



The add amount of general anti-skinning agents in terms of total amount of paint for 0.1~0.3%, add amount of varnish should be controlled around 0.25%. Color paint depends on the pigment, for example, dry strong resistance carbon black pigments should be appropriate to reduce the adding amount; dry strong pigment red lead should increase dosage. By the way, resin types also has great influence on add amount, low degree of unsaturation resin should increase the amount.

Dosage and storage temperature of driers is critical. When drier dosage is large, anti skinning agent amount shall be increased accordingly, otherwise it will reduce the effect of anti-skinning agents. It may add less anti-skinning agent in Winter, as low temperature may slow the crust; on the contrary, high temperature may quick the crust, it may add more anti-skinning agents in Summar. Long storage time need more anti-skinning agents, short storage time can be less. All in all, addition of anti-skinning agent depends on the composition. OKCHEM has more chemicals raw materials for paint and coatings manufacturing, including anti skinning agents. Read more here!
Source: https://www.okchem.com/news/precautions-use-anti-skinning-agents.html

Main use of furan resins

Furan resins refer to a kind of thermosetting resin that contain furan ring in the molecular structure. Its main products are furfuryl alcohol resin, modified furfuryl alcohol resin, furfural-acetone resin, furfural-phenol resin and so on.

The resin has small shrinkage when curing, and the curing are insolubility-melt black brittle solid, while its advantages are that the heat resistance and chemical resistance are superior to the phenolic resin and epoxy resin.



The main production raw material of furfuryl alcohol resins are furfuryl alcohol, maldehyde and urea. Catalyst are sodium hydroxide and vinegar. Curing agent has P-toluene sulfonic acid, xylene sulfonic acid, benzene sulfonic acid and so on.

Furan resins are mainly used as chemical-resistant and high turbidity materials.

1 Chemical-resistant materials of furan resin available to prepare the corrosion resistant PuTTY used as lining or other corrosion-resistant material of chemical equipment.

2 Heat resistance of reinforced composites for furan glass fiber is higher than general phenol aldehyde glass fibre reinforced composites. Usually it can be the long-term use at about 150 ℃.

3 Blending modification with epoxy or phenolic resin to make the furan resin mixed rest use with epoxy or phenolic resin. This improves furan glass fiber-reinforced composite material mechanical properties and process performance of preparation. This type of composite material has been widely used for the preparation of chemical reactor mixing devices, storage tanks, pipelines and other equipments.

4 High valuable in industry. Furan resins are widely used in the metallurgy and casting industries. It also applied to production of auto parts, plumbing, tire mold.

The application of furan resin process modeling can access to good economic results.
Because of furan resin has excellent corrosion resistance, heat resistance, advantages of its sources of raw materials and the production process is simple, it has long drawn people's attention. If you want to know more details and knowledge of chemicals raw materials, please click here to get more!
Source: https://www.okchem.com/news/main-use-furan-resins.html