The decision of US chemistry conglomerate Rohm & Haas (R&H) to exit the polysulfide market at short notice will, according to Frankfurt-based Chemetall GmbH, dramatically affect the global market for …
The decision of US chemistry conglomerate Rohm & Haas (R&H) to exit the polysulfide market at short notice will, according to Frankfurt-based Chemetall GmbH, dramatically affect the global market for insulating glass sealants. By the middle of December the American company will cease production of both liquid polymer and insulating glass sealant because of unacceptable economic performance. Due to the withdrawal of R&H some 30 % of the world-wide production of secondary seal IG sealants must be replaced at short notice. This could lead to a tangible shortage. Chemetall themselves are assured of sufficient raw material supplies for the supply of customers, albeit at reduced levels. According to Chemetall, the well-tried and established polysulfide-based sealants remain the ideal sealants for the insulating glass manufacturer – not least because of their very forgiving processing properties. Chemetall is also committed to these products in future. However the share of polysulfide sealants in the world market is likely to decline. This situation offers opportunities for the introduction of completely new systems. Chemetall will continue to supply sealants and is committed to offer alternative systems, some of which have been under development for some time. As a consequence, the non-negotiable massive price increases from the polymer suppliers will cause IG sealant prices to soar and reduce any existing price calculations to tatters. Chemetall see themselves forced to pass on the increases in full. “We expect the European market conditions to come closer to those of the USA in the course of time,” comments Gerrit Flling, Head of Chemetall“s Glass Division.