EXTON, Pa.—Sartomer Co., a business line of Arkema, launched two in-house electron beam laboratories in its France and U.S. research and development centers. A third installation is planned for the company's Asia operations, according to a company news release.
Details of the investments were not disclosed.
The units—standalone, compact electron accelerators—fortify Sartomer's commitment to liquid resin solutions and research and development services around the world, Doug Sharp, president and CEO of Sartomer USA said in a statement. They also will provide Sartomer customers with the opportunity to explore EB curing for current applications or the ability to test new ideas.
Demand for EB-curable materials is growing for applications including coatings, inks and adhesives, according to Sartomer. The process enables high-speed processing, and can be used for sensitive substrates because it does not require heat. It also does not require photoinitiators, minimizing migration.
"The addition of the EB lab units is part of our dedication to working with our customers to find the best and most efficient curing systems," Frederic Tache, market manager of coatings, adhesives and chemical intermediates for Sartomer Europe and the Arkema Group. "EB curing is a clean technology that enables high-quality finished products, and we're excited to offer customers the ability to expand their range of applications and give them a leading competitive edge in the marketplace."