Emulsion polymerization is the most widely employed industrial technology for a very broad range of polymer families and markets. Polymer types include acrylics, vinyl-acrylics, polyvinyl acetate and copolymers, styrenics, polyvinyl chloride, styrene-butadiene copolymers, polyurethanes, epoxies, and alkyd emulsions.
Emulsion Polymerization: A Growth Technology
Emulsion polymerization as a manufacturing technology and emulsion polymers are experiencing high growth based on their environmental benefits, lower investment costs, the wide versatility in polymer designs possible, and end-application advantages versus solution polymerization processes. The value of the global emulsion polymers market was estimated to be greater than $40 Billion in 2019 with a CAGR of about 6 percent. The major end-use markets are paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, and paper & paper board. Emulsion polymer innovations are expected to further drive growth in new products and applications in the months and years to come.
Gantrade and Tiarco-RST: Working Together to Promote Emulsion Polymerization
Gantrade and Tiarco-RST have teamed up to offer a broad portfolio of monomers, surfactants, dispersants, rheology modifiers, specialty chemicals, and industry-leading expertise to the emulsion polymerization industry. Our surfactant portfolio and associated technologies are widely used as emulsifiers to control the particle size as well as particle size distribution in emulsion polymerizations, minimize grit formation and coagulum, and improve the stability and characteristics of the final emulsion polymer systems.
Together, we offer a comprehensive range of organic surfactants and blends through our partnership, to meet the new opportunities afforded by the emulsion polymerization process. Tiarco-RST specializes in the production of a wide spectrum of fatty alcohol and ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfates, as well as numerous other surfactant types. While Tiarco is capable of producing large quantities of standard formulations, they also excel in developing unique solutions for customers. Take a look at the following listing of available surfactant types by category.
Anionic Surfactants
Anionic surfactants have a hydrophilic negative charge on the head position of a hydrophobic molecule. With sufficient concentrations of anion surfactants in water, these molecules aggregate to form micelles where the anionic head groups are oriented towards the water and the protective tail portion of the molecules associate in the center of the micelles. Gantrade and Tiarco provide a wide variety of anionic surfactants with good emulsification characteristics as summarized in the guide below. The list includes:
- Alkyl Sulfates
- Alkyl Ether Sulfates
- Alpha Olefin Sulfates
Please see our guide to anionic surfactants below:
| Product | Active | Chemical Name | Applications |
| Stanfax 969 (3 mole) | 60 | Ammonium Laureth Sulfate | Emulsion Polymerization, Paints & Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants & Related Products |
| Stanfax 1012 (12 mole) | 30 | ||
| Stanfax 1026 (3 mole) | 27 | ||
| Stanfax 1045 (2 mole) | 25 | ||
| Stanfax 1094 (11 mole) | 30 | ||
| Stanfax 238 | 27.5 | Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate | Ditto |
| Stanfax 998 HV | |||
| Stanfax 998 | |||
| Stanfax 1061 | 30 | Ammonium Decyl Sulfate | Ditto and penetrants |
| Stanfax 1033 (2 mole) | 32 | Ammonium Octyl/Decyl | Ditto and high foaming either sulfate agent |
| Stanfax 967 | 30 | Sodium Decyl Sulfate | Ditto and Emulsifier dispersant, wetting agent |
| Product | Active | Chemical Name | Applications |
| Stanfax 1024 HV | 25 | Sodium Laureth Sulfate | High Viscosity |
| Stanfax 1024 (1 mole) | Emulsion Polymerization, Paints & Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants & Related Products | ||
| Stanfax 1022 (2 mole) | 25.5 | Ditto | |
| Stanfax 1022 UM (2 mole) | |||
| Stanfax 1023 (3 mole) | 28.5 | ||
| Stanfax 1015 (3 mole) | 60 | ||
| Stanfax 1066 (12 mole) | 30 | ||
| Stanfax 234 | 29.5 | Sodium Lauryl Sulfate | Ditto |
| Stanfax 234 LCP | |||
| Stanfax 1025 | |||
| Stanfax 1007 | 33 | Sodium Octyl Sulfate | Ditto and wetting agent and dispersants |
| Stanfax 1089 | 32 | Ammonium Nonyl Phenolethoxy Sulfate | Ditto |
| Stanfax 972 | 40 | Triethanolamine Lauryl Sulfate | Ditto |
| Stanfax 560 | 22 | Sodium Dodecyl Benzenesulfonate | Ditto and anionic wetting agent |
Amphoteric Surfactants
Amphoteric surfactants have a dual charge, both positive and negative, on the head position of a hydrophobic molecule end. The positive and negative charges neutralize each other creating a net zero charge. The pH of the emulsion will control the functional charge of the head position.. In acidic solutions, amphoteric surfactants will exhibit a positive charge, similar to cationic surfactants. In basic solutions, amphoterics develop a negative charge, similar to anionic surfactants.
The range of amphoteric surfactants we offer are summarized below.
- Alkyl Betaines
- Alkyl Sultanes
- Alkanolamides
- Alkylbenzene sulfonates
- Concentrates
With these offerings, you can see that Gantrade specializes in the synthesis and manufacturing of both anionic and amphoteric surfactants. In addition, we can sulfate most organic alcohols to meet specific needs.
Specialty Blends
Surfactant blends, specially formulated to meet the diverse coating needs of a broad range of latex applications, are effective with SBR, VAE, EVA, Acrylics, Vinyl Acrylics, SBR-X (carboxylated), and many other aqueous latex dispersions. These blends are compatible with most fillers, thickeners, and auxiliaries. Designed to be both cost-effective and efficient at low usage levels, these products provide the formulator with a full range of coating capabilities.
Take a look at the table of specialty blends available from Gantrade and our trusted partner, Tiarco-RST:
| Product | Active | CFTA/Chemical Name | Typical Applications |
| Stanfax 525 | 33 | Proprietary Blend of Surfactants and Dispersants | High-efficiency foamer, which provides excellent foam stabilizations properties, viscosity builder. Enhances froth viscosity and rheological properties |
| Stanfax 167-M | 35 | Proprietary Blend of Surfactants and Dispersants | Premium foaming efficiency, combined with high level of foam stabilizer properties, viscosity builder. Enhances froth viscosity and rheological properties |
| Stanfax 509 | 31 | Proprietary Blend of Surfactants and Dispersants | Moderate foaming efficiency, very high level of foam stabilization properties |
| Stanfax 561 | 26 | Proprietary Blend of Surfactants and Dispersants | Enhanced foaming properties designed for commercial coating applications where bundle penetration is desired |
| Stanfax 565 | 29 | Proprietary Blend of Surfactants and Dispersants | High efficiency foamer, which provides excellent foam stabilization properties, viscosity builder. Enhances froth viscosity and rheological properties |
Partner for Your Success
Together, Gantrade and Tiarco-RST offer a broad portfolio of monomers, intermediates, polymers, crosslinking chemistries, surfactants, rheology modifiers, dispersants, and related products that help to advance performance dimensions in emulsion-based paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, inks and more. Our combined teams and capabilities are always available to assist customers with formulation challenges and to tailor new products that can offer distinctive performance advantages. Whatever your specialty requirements, we welcome the opportunity to work jointly to enhance the performance of your products. Contact Gantrade today to get started.
