ChemSpec’s Product Spotlight – Synthomer’s LitheneActiV® 1000

LitheneActiV® 1000 - Less Mixing, Better Compound

ChemSpec, Ltd. represents Synthomer’s line of Lithene® liquid polybutadienes for the North American market. Synthomer is known globally for its aqueous polymers across many different manufacturing market segments.

Synthomer’s Lithene manufacturing facility located in Stallingborough, UK

The Company’s headquarters is in London, UK. Synthomer’s manufacturing facility for their liquid polybutadienes is located in Stallingborough, UK. It produces these 100% active, highly unsaturated liquid polybutadienes in a range of molecular weights and micro-structures. These products provide enhanced quality and performance across a broad range of applications, including automotive sealants, mold release coatings and defoaming coating additives. In rubbers, they improve mixing and act as type II coagents. In addition, these polymers have very low VOC’s, excellent low temperature profiles, and can be cured thru vulcanization.  

Product Spotlight

ChemSpec chose to highlight Synthomer’s LitheneActiV 1000 product as it was designed specifically for modification of both peroxide and sulfur cured elastomers. Recent independent testing of these products in elastomer compounds, showed the benefits of the Lithene® range in general and LitheneActiV 1000 in particular:

The LitheneActiV 1000 product is non- hazardous, environmentally safe and reduces leaching versus basic process oils.  

ChemSpec’ s Marketing & Law Director, Chris Wagner, explains: “The benefits of using the LitheneActiV 1000 are obvious when reviewing Synthomer’s recent laboratory studies, and we look forward to presenting this product to our customers.”  For more information on the full range of Synthomer’s Lithene product line and the company in general, contact our experienced customer service team at: 800.200.4753.

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ChemSpec, Ltd. is a Uniontown, Ohio-based chemical distribution firm. ChemSpec is subsidiary of Paris, France-based SAFIC-ALCAN. ChemSpec, Ltd. also has a Mexican subsidiary (ChemSpec MÉXICO). ChemSpec distributes specialty and commodity chemical additives and specialty polymers into the North American Elastomer mixing industry, as well as coatings, adhesive/sealant,  inks,plastics and cosmetics compounding market segments.

ChemSpec Announces Annual 2018 IEC Conference After-Show Party

This year's annual International Elastomer Conference at the Kentucky International Convention Center from October 9 - 11, 2018 is a perfect time for ChemSpec's sales team to engage customers and suppliers with our annual "After-Show Party". 

The ChemSpec and Performance Additives teams invite everyone to have a "good ole time" with us at  Copper and Kings American Brandy Distillery, 1121 E. Washington Street, Louisville, KY on Tuesday, October 9 2018 from 6:30pm - 11:00pm. 

We will have food, drinks and a live band.  Please RSVP by 10.01.2018 to Hanah Moreland at hmoreland@chemspecltd.com.

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ChemSpec's 5th Annual 2018 Team Building Event

ChemSpec's 5th Annual Team Building Video. Enjoy the images of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. We had our Q3 Sales Meeting at the Renaissance Cleveland, dinner at the Chops Restaurant, team building at Escape in 60, team building with hosts from Taste of Cleveland with Iron Chef contest, Scavenger Hunt, and ending with bowling at the Corner Alley.

Hoffman Mineral's Dr. Reimund Pieter Technical Speaker at ISC Conference

UNIONTOWN, OH— Tuesday, April 10, 2018 - ChemSpec, LTD. announces Hoffman Mineral’s Dr. Reimund Pieter as a technical speaker at the 2018 International Silicone Conference, April 10 – 11, at the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Hoffman Mineral’s Dr. Reimund Pieter as Technical Speaker

Founded in 1891 the Hoffmann group is now owned by the 4th generation of the same family and is a German manufacturer of Neuburg siliceous earth, a mineral functional filler, being a mixture of kaolinite and silica, used for elastomer compounding. Trade names are SILLITIN, SILLIKOLLOID, AKTISIL, SILFIT, AKTIFIT.

Dr. Reimund Pieter studied chemistry at the German universities of Giessen (diploma) and Bonn (thesis). He joined Degussa AG in 1986. Pieter has been Area Sales Manager at the Hoffmann Mineral GmbH since 2007.

Dr. Reimund Pieter, Area Sales Manager for Hoffman Mineral

Dr. Pieter will be speaking on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 from 9:00am – 9:30am on “How to Boost Silicone Rubber Compounds”.  His presentation will cover how combining quartz flour or ATH with Aktisil Q improves mechanical properties as well as processing without increasing compound cost. Since Aktisil Q is a surface-treated variety of Neuburg Siliceous Earth one would expect increased compound cost, but calculations show that this is not the case.

ChemSpec encourages customers to attend Dr. Pieter’s technical presentation and to stop by our booth #13 at the conference.  The 2018 International Silicone Conference is held at the Sheraton Suites Akron, 1989 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221.

For more information on Hoffman Mineral Products, visit ChemSpec’s webstie at:  www.chemspecltd.com or contact our experienced customer service staff at:  800.200.4753 (Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm EST).

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ChemSpec, Ltd. is a Uniontown, Ohio-based management-owned chemical distribution firm. ChemSpec is a subsidiary of Paris,  France-based Safic-Alcan. ChemSpec, Ltd. also has a Mexican subsidiary (ChemSpec MÉXICO). ChemSpec distributes specialty and commodity chemical additives and specialty polymers into the North American elastomer mixing industry, as well as coatings, adhesive/sealant, inks, plastics and cosmetics compounding market segments.  All of ChemSpec’s products are competitively priced and backed by a customer service support team that is unparalleled in the industry. 

Product Spotlight - Enhance Durability with Zinc Oxide 325

ChemSpec, Ltd. represents ZOCHEM’s high quality zinc oxides.  Recently, Zinc Oxide LLC acquired the Canadian company, Zochem, American Zinc Recycling Corp., and together will now be collectively known just as ZOCHEM. The company is now the largest producer of zinc oxide in North America with capacity of 95,000 MT  and its headquarters is in Dickson, Tennessee. The Dickson facility is state-of-the art and the newest zinc oxide production facility on earth! ZOCHEM’s executive leadership team has more than 250 years total of experience in zinc oxide manufacturing.

Examples of 325 finely sieved mesh

Product Spotlight

ChemSpec chose to focus on processing equipment for this Product Spot- light (in lieu of a specific product). The new equipment in the Dickson facility results in significantly improved 325 fine sieve mesh product, and we are highlighting it because of its advantages versus other products - these ad- vantages include:

 ● Pneumatic conveying - reducing hard  particles allowing for  optimal durability

 ● State-of-the-art cartridge filters - reducing contaminants

 ● Product Ranges of:  High purity, treated, high & low surface area, USP, and pellets                                       

ZOCHEM’s Director of Technology, John Stourac, explains:

Poor quality of Zinc Oxide 325 mesh results in oversize contamination can cause inclusions in rubber, tears in thin rubber/seals, and surface voids/holes on polished/ground rubber surfaces. In paint and coating, poor 325 mesh quality allows for low performing Hegman grind and creates visual particulates in sprays and thin film finishes. In life science applications, it causes grit in cosmetic foundations and zinc oxide ointments. In chemicals, poor 325’s cause holes in thin film plastic or become visual particulate inclusions. We are very proud of our efforts to make a significant improvement in zinc oxide quality and set a global benchmark.           

Ed Smith, ZOCHEM’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing adds that, “since our Zinc Oxide 325 benefits are designed in all of our grades, we have no added cost to our customers for this quality improvement in processing.”

For more information on Zinc Oxide LLC’s (ZOCHEM) product lines and the company in general, visit our website at: ChemSpecltd.com, or contact our experienced customer service team at: 800.200.4753.

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ChemSpec, Ltd. is a Uniontown, Ohio-based chemical distribution fi rm. ChemSpec is subsidiary of Paris, France- based Safi c-Alcan. ChemSpec, Ltd. also has a Mexican subsidiary (ChemSpec MÉXICO). ChemSpec distributes specialty  and  commodity  chemical  additives and specialty polymers into the North American elastomer mixing industry, as well as coatings, adhesive/sealant, inks, plastics and cosmetics compounding market

ChemSpec, Ltd. Announces Employee John Stephenson as 2018 President of the Chicago Rubber Group

ChemSpec, Ltd. Employee John Stephenson 2018 President of The Chicago Rubber Group

CHICAGO, IL --The Chicago Rubber Group, Inc., a subdivision of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society, has entered into 2018 with new leadership at the helm.  This year, the CRG announced John Stephenson as President.  Having John on board will give the CRG group an advantage with his sales and technical knowledge as ChemSpec’s sales representative.  Currently, John’s biggest sales market area is the Chicago area where he is seen frequently engaging with customers and attending technical seminars.  John previously held the positions of Vice-President in 2017 and Treasurer in 2016.

John Stephenson,  2018 CRG President & ChemSpec, Ltd. Sales Representative

The Chicago Rubber Group is a trade association designed to provide general education on rubber-oriented manufacturing in the Greater Chicago Area, and also provides opportunities to network amongst the rubber industry, and provides scholarship opportunities to worthy college students.

ChemSpec’s President, and CEO, Dave Moreland states:  “It’s great news to see John become more influential in the rubber industry, especially the Chicago market, where we have a great presence with our specialty chemicals serving the rubber industry.  John will be a great asset to the CRG team.”

ChemSpec distributes specialty chemical additives and specialty polymers into the North American elastomer mixing industry, as well as coatings, adhesive/sealant, plastics, and cosmetics compounding market segments. All of ChemSpec’s products are competitively priced and backed by a customer service support team that is unparalleled in the industry. For more detailed information on John’s leadership post at CRG you can contact him directly at:  jstephenson@chemspecltd.com.

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 ChemSpec, Ltd. is a Uniontown, Ohio-based chemical distribution firm. ChemSpec is subsidiary of Paris, France-based Safic-Alcan. ChemSpec, Ltd.  also has a Mexican subsidiary (ChemSpec MÉXICO).  ChemSpec distributes specialty and commodity chemical additives and specialty polymers into the North American elastomer mixing industry, as well as coatings, adhesive/sealant, inks, plastics and cosmetics compounding market segments. 

For more information on ChemSpec, Ltd., contact our experienced customer service team at: 800.200.4753.

ChemSpec Announces Newest Addition to Cosmetics Sales Team

UNIONTOWN, OH – December 6, 2017 – CHEMSPEC, LTD. announces Michelle Barsoum as their newest addition to the Cosmetics Sales Team.  Michelle is now the Cosmetics Division Technical Sales Manager, reporting to Marie Graet, the Cosmetics Division Director of Sales & Marketing.

Michelle graduated with a B.A. degree in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University. She started her career as a formulation chemist in skincare applications for a prestige beauty company. Michelle worked on complicated formulas where she incorporated several actives into different product forms and textures. Part of her role was also the procurement of specialty cosmetic ingredients.

Michelle lives in Middlesex County, NJ with her family and two boxer dogs and enjoys spending time at home. She is also a Makeup Artist and therefore always stays updated with new trends and upcoming products. She loves to be innovative and always tries to think outside the box when approached with challenges. She tutors kids at her local church on the side and enjoys volunteering whenever possible.

According to Marie Graet, “Bringing Michelle on board with us will help strengthen our cosmetics growth strategies in both technical and sales. Please join me in welcoming Michelle to our cosmetics sales and marketing team.”

Welcome Michelle!

CHEMSPEC ANNOUNCES NEWEST ADDITION TO SALES & MARKETING TEAM

UNIONTOWN, OH – October 18, 2017 – CHEMSPEC, Ltd announces Richard VanArsdalen as their newest addition to their sales & marketing team.  Rich’s job is filling a new, part-time role at ChemSpec: Marketing Support Representative.

Rich VanArsdalen graduated with honors from the University of Toledo with a B.S. degree, majoring in geology, in 1994.  Upon graduation, he entered the environmental industry where he served as assistant operations manager and project manager. 

While in Tuscarawas County, Rich served as a plant manager for Express Packaging, Inc. and was promoted to corporate quality manager.  Rich also served on a steering committee that determined business policy, vision, and direction for Express Packaging, Inc.  After making a decision to change from the business world to pursue his true passion, Rich left the area and relocated to Cleveland, where Rich served as a Christian Church planter and life skills instructor for the Berea Children’s Home and Family Services.  Rich has now been involved in Christian counseling for over 20 years, and has spent the last ten years focusing primarily on the problem of addiction.  In January of 2016, Rich took the role as the Tuscarawas County Jail Chaplain and became a part of the Compass Center, which is a position he continues to this day. 

Marketing and Law Director, Chris Wagner, says this of Rich: “We’re excited to have someone on board here at ChemSpec with such an in-depth and diverse professional background. Rich will support much of what we do in the marketing side of ChemSpec, but he’ll also work on regulatory and laboratory matters as well. He will be a huge help, and his optimistic approach to life is a joy to be around.”

Rich, while he has taken on this new part-time position at ChemSpec, is still able to pursue his passion outside of the office and says “his desire is to help broken individuals break free from destructive lifestyles and find the true peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.”  He is married to Kelly, and they recently celebrated over 20 wonderful years of marriage.  They and their four children:  Zeke (15), Thad (13), Eliza (11), and Addy (9) have been residents of Tuscarawas County since 2001, leaving only for three years to minister in the Cleveland area from 2005 to 2008. 

Welcome Rich!

ChemSpec's Partnering Supplier Zinc Oxide LLC Acquires Zochem

ChemSpec’s Partnering Supplier Zinc Oxide LLC Acquires Zochem

UNIONTOWN, OH— Tuesday, October 3, 2017 - CHEMSPEC, LTD. announces partnering supplier Zinc Oxide LLC acquires Zochem, a subsidiary of American Zinc Recycling LLC.  This acquisition positionsZinc Oxide as the largest producer of zinc oxide in North America. 

Founded in 1933, Zochem has been located in Brampton, Ontario since 1974.  Led by a team of industry veterans, Zinc Oxide LLC began in 2013 and has rapidly established itself as a major player in the market.  The acquisition includes all of Zochem’s manufacturing operations and product lines.  Both the Brampton and Dickson facilities will continue to manufacture with the French Process method exclusively, as this method produces zinc oxide with the most consistent quality and highest purity.  Zochem’s extensive domestic and global distribution network will also remain in place.  The combined company will continue to supply zinc oxide to the tire, rubber, chemical, electronics, agricultural, plastics, USP/pharma, ceramics markets, and more.  (Zinc Oxide LLC 2017)

Zinc Oxide, LLC, Dickson, TN & Zochem, Inc., Brampton, Ontario (image property of Zinc Oxide, LLC 

According to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Ed Smith, Zinc Oxide LLC, “The acquisition of Zochem demonstrates our commitment to being the leading supplier of zinc oxide in North America.  This move will benefit customers by ensuring a stable source for any grade of the highest quality zinc oxide.  In addition, many customers will benefit from reduced shipping costs and transit times, given approximately 80% of the North American zinc oxide market is within a 500 mile radius of our two plants.” 

Smith continued, “Our team is very excited about working with our new colleagues at Zochem.  The combination of personnel, expanded sales network and facilities gives us the best of the best.  With our added depth of capabilities and global reach, the new company has tremendous growth opportunities.”

ChemSpec, Ltd. is a regional distributor for Zinc Oxide LLC in the United States.  The combined company will enhance ChemSpec’s customer base with their added capabilities.  Chris Wagner, ChemSpec’s Marketing & Law Director explains “this new venture enables both companies to continue to serve our customers with quality products and we look forward to expanding the zinc oxide market.”

For more information about Zinc Oxide, LLC  contact Chris Wagner, Marketing and Law Director at:  cwagner@chemspecltd.com or 330.958.4316 or visit our website at:  www.chemspecltd.com

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ChemSpec, Ltd. is a Uniontown, Ohio-based management-owned chemical distribution firm. ChemSpec is a subsidiary of Paris,  France-based Safic-Alcan. ChemSpec, Ltd. also has a Mexican subsidiary (ChemSpec MÉXICO). ChemSpec distributes specialty and commodity chemical additives and specialty polymers into the North American elastomer mixing industry, as well as coatings, adhesive/sealant, inks, plastics and cosmetics compounding market segments.  All of ChemSpec’s products are competitively priced and backed by a customer service support team that is unparalleled in the industry. 

ChemSpec is DOW Distribution Partner for WALSRODER™ Product

CHEMSPEC IS DOW DISTRIBUTION PARTNER FOR WALSRODER™ NITROCELLULOSE PRODUCTS

ChemSpec, Ltd has entered in a distribution agreement with The DOW Chemical Company (DOW). ChemSpec is now DOW’s distribution partner for WALSRODER™ Nitrocellulose and WALSRODER™ NC-Chip products across United States.

09062017 Adobe stock image for wood/ink coatings 

WALSRODER Nitrocellulose and NC-Chips are derivatives of cellulose and commonly known as cellulose nitrate. These products are used in a wide array of coating applications, but are most commonly used as binders in printing ink and wood coating formulas. WALSRODER Nitrocellulose products come in a variety of options: such as high and low viscosity grades and dampened with isopropanol, ethanol, or water.  Further, WALSRODER NC-CHIPS come plasticized with phthalate-free plasticizers.

DOW is a publicly held chemical manufacturing and innovation firm with a presence in a vast array of manufacturing sectors across the globe. With a diverse group of over 53,000 employees internationally and 125 years of experience in science and innovation, DOW is the market leader in the chemical industry.

ChemSpec, a member of the Paris-based SAFIC-ALCAN family of companies, is a management-owned North American specialty chemical distributor, with offices both in the United States and Mexico.  ChemSpec supplies industrial additive products into the coating, adhesive / sealant, and elastomer (“C.A.S.E.”) compounding markets. ChemSpec also has a division dedicated to the distribution of specialty ingredients for cosmetics production. 

ChemSpec President, Dave Moreland, had this to say about the relationship:

ChemSpec is excited to be partnering with such a tremendously respected company such as Dow.  We feel that this relationship will enable us to move further into the inks and coatings manufacturing sectors, where we already have a growing presence with parts of our product portfolio. We are confident that we can grow DOW’s nitrocellulose-oriented business by leveraging our already-existing relationships domestically, and also internationally with the support of our parent SAFIC-ALCAN, to develop a greater understanding of these products.  Additionally, ChemSpec’s responsibility as DOW’s distributor is to widen the supply channel for small to medium sized manufacturing companies in that we will be holding stock for both the large user and also the small skid to drum customer.

 To contact ChemSpec for more information on these product lines, visit our partner page on our  website  or reach-out to your respective ChemSpec sales representative, or call us toll-free at 800-200-4753.

Product Spotlight - CHEMITAC® 7D

Ready-to-Use Silicone Elastomer Bonding!

ChemSpec, Ltd. represents Dalton Dynamic’s brand of CHEMITAC® elastomer adhesives for United States and Mexico.

Dalton Dynamics is 1 of 5 international subsidiaries of its parent company, Dalton Group, which is based out of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Group’s focus is on manufacturing and marketing industrial adhesives intended to attach a diversity of substrates to raw rubber by the vulcanization process. Dalton Group also focuses on “green”  chemistry and manufacturing, in that it makes preserving the environment a major priority through its “We Think Green” Corporate Culture Campaign.

Product Spotlight

The CHEMITAC 7D line is a thermoreactive adhesive, ready for use, for bonding silicone elastomers (VMQ) with steel, aluminum, aramid, textile fibers and glass by a vulcanization process. The textile fibers can be:  Cellulose, polyamide, polyester, and aramid.

This adhesive is also used to replace the grit blasting process by preparing treated surfaces for bonding, thus preserving the part’s original corrosion resistance. Surfaces that benefit are: Phosphate steel, galvanized, chromate conversion treated stainless steel, and ceramic. After the surface is coated with CHEMITAC 7D, a top-layer adhesive can be chosen based on the desired rubber compound to be used.

ChemSpec chose CHEMITAC 7D as a product spotlight because of its many benefits to manufacturers:

• Ready to use solution
• Chemical and corrosion resistance benefits
• Cost savings by eliminating grit-blasting process
• Proven track-record for bonding silicone elastomers (VMQ) to metals, plastics, and textile fibers
• A heavy metals free product - good for the environment
• Complies with ASTM D429 & European Regulations 2000/53/EC

ChemSpec, Ltd. is a Uniontown, Ohio-based chemical distribution firm. ChemSpec is a subsidiary of Paris,     France-based Safic-Alcan. ChemSpec, Ltd. also has a Mexican subsidiary (ChemSpec MÉXICO). ChemSpec distributes specialty and commodity chemical additives and specialty polymers into the North American elastomer mixing industry, as well as coatings, adhesive/sealant, inks, plastics and cosmetics compounding market segments.

For more information on CHEMITAC product lines and the company in general, contact our dedicated customer service team at: 800.200.4753.

Cyber Attack Hits Maersk Line

The Maersk ship Adrian Maersk is seen as it departs from New York Harbor in New York City, U.S., June 27, 2017.  REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Reuters (Teis Jensen) reported late last week that Maersk Line, Danish-owned and the world’s largest container shipper, stated its computer systems were hit by the global Petya cyber-attack, causing problems with processing orders and delaying cargo shipments. 

Reuters reported the cyber-attack has disrupted businesses world-wide and has created congestion in 76 ports; including the United States, India, Spain, and the Netherlands.

Reuters continues to communicate that the impact is affecting vessels or cargo loaded from June 26 through June 28 2017.  They have made alternate changes to process orders manually and communicating with customers daily.   The good news is that no data has been lost and Maersk has been working to resume normal operations quickly to all of the ports that have been affected.

ChemSpec’s VP of Operations, Jon Sias, is on top of communications with suppliers who are affected by this delay and we are committed to keeping all of our customers informed of any new outcomes.  Should you have any concerns, please feel free to contact our customer service department toll-free at:  800.200.4753 or via email:  orders@chemspecltd.com.

Labema Corrosion Inhibitors Chooses ChemSpec Mexico as Exclusive Distributor

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO:  ChemSpec MéXICO S. De R.L. de C.V.  and Labema Corrosion Inhibitors recently entered into an exclusive distribution arrangement for Mexico.  Labema has been a corrosion formulator and additive manufacturer for over twenty years, continuously developing innovative products backed with vast technical knowledge and support. 

Labema’s corporate office is located in Lorette, France with many distribution locations worldwide.  Joining forces with ChemSpec MéXICO for exclusive distribution in the Mexican market allows both companies to promote high quality products backed with their expert customer service and technical support teams.

ChemSpec MéXICO is eager to grow the coatings market for Mexico with Labema’s  AB RUST® andEMADOX® brands that represent anti-flash rust additives, liquid corrosion inhibitors for water-based coatings; whichincludes anticorrosive primers, paints and varnishes, multi-purpose paints, and in-can metal packaging protection.  In addition, Labema has excelled in innovative renewable chemistry with their range of VEGERUST® corrosion plant-based inhibitors, which is just one way that Labema shows its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Manuel Cortés, ChemSpec MéXICO’s Sales & Marketing Manager, had this to say about the new relationship:

“I’m excited to represent such a respected producer and product line in the Mexican Market. I feel that this will allow ChemSpec MEXICO to not only grow its product offerings, but also its Mexican Brand and relationships with coatings manufacturers.”

ChemSpec MéXICO is an international division of ChemSpec, Ltd. based in Uniontown, Ohio, USA.  ChemSpec, a member of the Paris-based SAFIC-ALCAN family of companies, is a management-owned, growing specialty chemical distribution company in North America, Canada, and Mexico; serving customers in the Coatings, Plastics, Rubber, Adhesives/Sealants, Inks, and Cosmetic compounding industries.

For more information about Labema, contact Manuel Cortés at:  mcortes@chemspec.com.mx or visit our website at:  www.chemspec.com.mx.