Kraton Polymers Announces Breakthrough Technology

HOUSTON /BUSINESS WIRE/ -- Kraton Polymers LLC, a leading global producer of engineered polymers, introduces the latest innovations in sulfonated copolymer technology. The new products, Kraton MD9150 and MD9200, allow for remarkable performance in ion exchange and high-water-transport applications, while providing a "cost savings over current alternatives available on the market."

Kraton MD9150 and MD9200 are selectively midblock sulfonated copolymers, providing excellent performance in water-vapor transport, chemical resistance, selective gas permeability, and ion-exchange properties, as well as strong mechanical performance in both wet and dry environments. These unique key properties allow Kraton to serve various industry segments with one product line that is offered in Ion Exchange Capacity (IEC) levels of 1.5 and 2.0 (meq/g), respectively.

Kraton's advanced new copolymers are offered both in membrane and solution form, giving the designer the flexibility to create unique shapes and coatings/laminations. These new sulfonated copolymers offer the customer a "greener solution by reducing the processing temperatures as compared with current technology."

Kraton's sulfonated copolymers are designed for applications in desalination, electrodeionization, electrodialysis, humidification and dehumidification, breathable protective clothing, battery separators, fuel cell membranes, sensors and actuators, reverse osmosis, medical devices, filtration, gas separation, performance outerwear and apparel, energy recovery, and antifouling.

Lothar Freund, Vice President of Technology, states, "Our scientists have designed a novel block copolymer structure that gives a unique morphology for high-water transport while maintaining interesting gas and ion perm-selectivity. These cutting-edge products demonstrate our continued commitment to bringing advanced innovations and value to our customers." Kraton will unveil the branding program for this new product family in early 2009.

Learn More at Antec 2009
Kraton Polymers will present a technical paper titled "Sulfonated Styrenic Pentablock Copolymer Membranes for High Water Transport Rate Applications" at the SPE Annual Technical Conference in Chicago, IL, the week of June 22, 2009.

Samples are available in membrane form in several thicknesses, as well as polymer in solution for use in custom casting.

For more information on Kraton Sulfonated copolymers, customers should contact their sales representative or Kraton market development manager, Jim Harbert ([email protected]).

About Kraton
Kraton Polymers LLC is a leading global producer of engineered polymers and, we believe, the world's largest producer of styrenic block copolymers (SBCs), a family of products whose chemistry was pioneered by us over forty years ago. SBCs are highly engineered thermoplastic elastomers, which enhance the performance of numerous products by delivering a variety of attributes, including greater flexibility, resilience, strength, durability, and processability. Kraton polymers are used in a wide range of applications, including adhesives, coatings, consumer and personal care products, sealants, lubricants, medical, packaging, automotive, paving, roofing, and footwear products. "Kraton has the leading position in nearly all of its core markets and is the only producer of SBCs with global manufacturing capability." Its production facilities are located in the U.S., Germany, France, The Netherlands, Brazil, and Japan.

Kraton, the Kraton logo and design, and "Giving Innovators their Edge" tagline are trademarks of Kraton Polymers LLC.