For Immediate Release

May 9, 2005

Stabaxol â : The Solution to Hydrolysis Problems -

Versatile Hydrolysis Stabilization

At Chinaplas 2005 (also known as The 19th International Exhibition on Plastics and Rubber Industries), Rhein Chemie is going to exhibit its leading technology and Stabaxolâ. Chinaplas is the leading plastics and rubber trade show in China and Asia. The coming edition will be staged from June 21 – 24, 2005 at Guangzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Pazhou, Guangzhou, PR China.

Under moist, warm climatic conditions, many polymers gradually break down. This is because, at higher temperatures, water is able to split the long-chain molecules which make up the polymers. Chemists refer to this process as “hydrolysis”. It goes without saying that the polymers most affected by this phenomenon, which has a considerable negative impact on the surface finish, strength, elasticity and hardness of elastomeric materials, are those which are permanently exposed to a moist, warm climate. One solution to this problem is to resort to expensive, specialty polymers which are resistant to hydrolytic attack. Alternatively (and this is the more cost-effective solution), you can use “standard polymers” containing anti-hydrolysis agents such as Stabaxolâ, an additive produced by Rhein Chemie, Mannheim. The service life of polymers containing Stabaxolâ is up to three times longer than that of unprotected products, even under the harshest conditions.

The drying screens made of woven plastics fabrics required in papermaking, which are used in aqueous media at temperatures of around 100oC, are subject to hydrolytic degradation. The PET monofilaments used for this purpose often do not completely meet the stringent hydrolysis stability requirements for such applications. Adding Stabaxolâ to PET can counteract such degradation and bring about an up to threefold increase in service life compared to un-stabilized grades. Apart from the cost savings for the screens themselves, the distinct reduction in downtime and replacement time for screen changes also has a positive impact on operating costs.

PU elastomers and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) are well-established as high quality materials in the shoe industry. Hydrolysis resistance is required in particular for walking and safety shoes and for sky and snowboard boots. The liquid formulation of Stabaxolâ P 200 means that it can very readily be incorporated into the polyol and provides long-lasting hydrolysis stabilization. Thanks to their particular vibration-damping properties, polyester-based cellular PU elastomers are used as auxiliary suspension springs in virtually all kinds of vehicles. Stabaxolâ is used to prevent premature failure of the auxiliary springs due to aging, so increasing the service life of the complete suspension strut.

Thermoplastic elastomers are increasingly widely used in cable applications. It is advisable to use Stabaxolâ to offset the susceptibility of ester-based elastomers to hydrolysis. Special Stabaxolâ master-batches have been developed for use in polyether/ester and polyester/ester copolymers.

Stabaxolâ is by no means only suitable for use in PET, TPU/PU, TPEE, as available in solid or liquid form or in master-batches, it can protect a whole range of technically important polymers such as PBT, TPE, PA and EVA from premature wear due to hydrolysis. Stabaxolâ also acts as a processing auxiliary to prevent a reduction in molecular weight. Stabaxol may also be used to bring about a deliberate increase in molecular weight.

Rhein Chemie has been the world leader in the field of hydrolysis protection for polymers and polyurethanes for the last 30 years with this additive. The know-how that the additive experts at Rhein Chemie have built up over this period is something they are happy to share with their customers. With their own in-house R&D department and an effective analysis department, they are able to offer a wide range on high-quality, advanced Stabaxolâ grades and, working with their customers all over the world, develop customized solutions to the problem of protecting products against hydrolysis.

Chinaplas 2005 will occupy an exhibition area of over 77,000sqm and gather over 1,000 exhibitors and ten group pavilions from Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, PR China and Taiwan Province, United Kingdom and USA.

Chinaplas 2005 which ranks No. 1 in Asia as the most influential trade fair in the plastics and rubber industries, is organized by Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd, co-organized by China Foreign Trade Centre (Group), China National Light Industry Council - China Plastics Processing Industry Association, Guangdong Plastics Industry Association and Messe Düsseldorf China Ltd., and has enjoyed a 16th consecutive year for exclusive sponsorship form EUROMAP (European Committee of Machinery Manufacturers for the Plastics & Rubber Industries) in China.

For more information on visiting the show, please visit the official website of the show at www.2456.com/chinaplas or contact Ms Karen Cheung at (852) 2516 3374.

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Issued by Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd.

For press enquiry, please contact Ms. Helen Chan / Ms. Karen Cheung:

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