Your experts in Base Chemicals & Intermediates
Legislative changes are happening more frequently than ever before and product registration legislation such as REACH in Europe present ample opportunity for Alumichem to support our customers to understand the impact on their specific situation. We are also helping our customers and suppliers in the identification of renewable and circular initiatives that fit their application.
Base chemicals
Alumichem supply a wide range of base chemicals. Read more and see product data below
Acetone, also known by the IUPAC name 2-propanone, is a chemical compound mainly used as solvent in chemical industry and antiseptic in medicine. It is also a precursor in organic synthesis.
It is extensively used by the chemical and petroleum industries to produce adhesives and sealants, solvents, coatings and paints, plastic and rubber, agricultural products, etc. It is also an intermediate in other organic synthesis.
Acetic acid is an organic acid which is the main component of vinegar. It is also called glacial acetic acid, ethanoic acid or methane carboxylic acid. Acetic acid is a major component for the production of vinyl acetate monomer and other intermediates.
Diethylene glycol is used in the manufacture of saturated and unsaturated polyester resins, polyurethanes, and plasticizers. DEG is used as a building block in organic synthesis. It is a solvent for nitrocellulose, resins, dyes, oils, and other organic compounds. It is a humectant for tobacco, cork, printing ink, and glue.
It is also a component in brake fluid, lubricants, wallpaper strippers, artificial fog and haze solutions, and heating/cooking fuel
DEG (DI ETHYLENE GLYCOL) PRODUCT SHEET–>
Di propylene glycol is a clear, colourless, viscous liquid with a characteristic odour and the formula C6H14O3. Di-propylene glycol is a substance to produce polymers such as polyester and alkyd resins, and a plastifier used to produce other polymers, for instance PVC
ADPG (DI PROPYLENE GLYCOL) PRODUCT SHEET–>
MEG Monoethylene glycol is miscible in ethanol, acetone and water. MEG is the most common industrial diol which is used in manufacture of polyester fibre. MEG is the base-fluid to produce antifreeze. It is also used to make PET-polymer as a major application.
MEG (MONO ETHYLENE GLYCOL) PRODUCT SHEET–>
Mono propylene glycol is a clear, colourless and viscous liquid with a characteristic odour and has the formula C3H8O2. This solvent is soluble in water and holds hygroscopic properties, meaning it can attract hard water molecules.
Propylene glycol is used in various edible items such as coffee-based drinks, liquid sweeteners, ice cream, whipped dairy products and soda. Another major application for propylene glycol is in the production of unsaturated polyester resins.
MPG MONO PROPYLENE GLYCOL) PRODUCT SHEET–>
Triethylene Glycol (TEG) is a liquid chemical compound. TEG is recognized for its hygroscopic quality and ability to dehumidify fluids. When aerosolized it acts as a disinfectant. Glycols are also used as liquid desiccants for natural gas and in air conditioning systems.
TEG (TRI ETHYLENE GLYCOL) PRODUCT SHEET–>
TPG is commonly used as a raw material for the production of polymers such as polyesters and alkyd resins, as a plasticizer in polymers such as PVC, and as a component in cleaning agents, coatings, lubricants, cutting oils and printing inks.
TPG (TRI PROPYLENE GLYCOL) PRODUCT SHEET–>
Vinyl acetate or vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) is primarily used in the production of other chemicals used in various industrial and consumer product applications. It can be polymerized to give polyvinyl acetate (PVAc).
With other monomers it can be used to prepare various copolymers such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), vinyl acetate-acrylic acid (VA/AA), polyvinyl chloride acetate (PVCA), and polyvinylpyrrolidone used in hair gels.
VAM (VINYL ACETATE MONOMER) PRODUCT SHEET–>
Your local Alumichem partner will be happy to help you select the right chemical for your specific application.
Intermediates
2-ethylhexanoic acid, Adipic acid, Sebacic acid, Succinic acid, Sodium molybdate, Polyphosphates, Triacetin.
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Used in Applications
Alumichem are delivering Base Chemicals and Intermediates to a wide range of industries
Automotive
MEG is used as the base fluid for engine coolants (antifreeze) and acids such as 2EHA, sebacic, succinic and adipic acid can be part of the corrosion inhibitors used in such coolant formulations. Actually it is the salt-form of those acids that serve as inhibitors and thus the coolant formulators will buy caustic soda together with the acids to obtain the salts. Traditional glycol/water-mixtures are used in the cooling system of combustion engines but also as indirect coolant in battery-driven vehicles.
Sometimes coolant producers mix both MEG and DEG but DEG is used more frequently as a component in brake fluids.
Winter wind screen wash formulations used alcohols such as ethanol or isopropanol as the base fluid. In such formulations MEG and MPG can be used as lubrication aids to ensure your wiper blades will glide smoothly from left to right.
Paints & Coatings
Todays coatings are complex formulations that carefully balance the requirements posed upon them by the consumers. The resins that serve as the backbone of water-based paints and coatings use a mixture of acrylates and PVA (poly vinyl acetate). VAM is the monomer used in the production of such PVA.
Solvent-borne systems will select the most suitable solvent for each individual application and from our product range Acetone is regularly used in these formulations.
Polymers
Polyester Fibres have become the most important fibre in technical textiles as well for daily apparel and sportswear. MEG is one of two main raw materials for this industry.
PET or polyethylene-terephthalate is the most important polymer used for the packaging of carbonated softdrinks and also has a significant share as a PET-film in the packaging of food globally.
Modern buildings and the front screen of cars and trucks use safety glass to protect humans. This so-called safety glass contains a PVB polymer-film which contains a plasticizer referred to as 3G8-ester. VAM, 2EHA and TEG are raw materials for this 3G8-ester.
Food and Feed
Animal feed preparations and but also formulations for human consumption such as ice cream or sausages contains humectants to avoid that the preparation dries too quickly after its packaging has been opened. MPG is an excellent molecule that can preserve the quality.
Triacetin is used as an acidity regulator in food preparations.
Vinegar- a dilution of acetic acid – is a product used in every kitchen.
Chemical & pharmaceutical intermediates
Acetic acid is an important raw material for the production of ethyl and butyl acetate as well as for VAM. Also for the production of acetic anhydride most manufacturers will start from acetic acid.
Acetone is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as a starting molecule for medicine.
The reaction industry needs to add cold to some process or remove heat from other reactions. Secondary heat transfer fluids based on MEG or MPG are often preferred as the base fluids for such formulations.
