New Water-Based Release Systems Drive More Efficient, Sustainable Composites Molding

Howell, MI — August 26, 2024 – Chem-Trend, a company of the Freudenberg Chemical Specialities Group and a global leader in the development of high-quality release agents, purging compounds, and other process chemicals and additives, is driving the composites molding industry toward advanced water-based release technologies that are also PFAS-free. Proven performance for a wide range of applications plus the ability to improve overall operational sustainability is a value combination that today’s molders can no longer ignore.

Originally designed to meet the rigors of aerospace composite applications, Chem-Trend’s water-based release agents, such as Zyvax® 1070W, are robust, developed from years of expertise gained on and off the shop floor to confirm suitability and performance characteristics. Now these water-based technologies are making headway into various other composite molding applications including wind, advanced composites and FRP where solvent-based technologies dominate given the consistently good release performance, fast evaporation rates and good film-forming properties as many of these applications are done at room temperature.

While delivering high performance, solvent-based release agents also pose potential health, safety, and environmental (HSE) concerns, including fire hazards and significant emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These issues can be eliminated by using advanced water-based release systems, and today, do so without sacrificing performance — a surprising result for some manufacturers who have shied away from water-based product trials in the past.

Within the last year, Chem-Trend expanded its water-based release system portfolio with the integration of the Mavcoat™ brand of release agents well known in the US market for its high performance in advanced composite molding applications. Composite molders can now go to one source globally for an even wider range of release system solutions suited for their specific application.

“Chem-Trend has been successful in developing and expanding our offering of water-based, PFAS-free technology for the wind, aerospace, and advanced composite segments. Using our products, manufacturers are seeing great improvements in the shop floor environment with less odor and easier clean-up, as well as reduced plant emissions and delivering performance on par with solvent-based release system technologies,” said Dave Fenwick, business development director, composites.

Recognizing the pivotal role of advanced composites in e-mobility, which is allowing for more innovative automotive part designs, Chem-Trend’s technical team is working to solve the challenges of these manufacturers who are looking to maintain a high-quality part that is defect free, extend the life of their molds and enhance productivity with a water-based release agent. This needs a high level of collaboration to deliver the right solution that meets these requirements. Chem-Trend is actively seeking partnerships with composites manufacturers to find the optimal water-based release agent for their specific applications.

Chem-Trend continues to advance the market with its commitment to safer chemistry, expanding its water-based solutions, especially in the rubber and composites sectors, while also striving to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from its heritage product range spanning several industries, reflecting its legacy of responsible leadership and innovation.

“This was a team effort across R&D, operations, and sales to develop and validate PFAS substitutes, while still meeting the high-performance expectations demanded by our customers. We are proud of this achievement, which shows Chem-Trend’s overall commitment to sustainability,” said Amanda Pugh, vice president, marketing and technology.

Learn more about Chem-Trend’s water-based offerings for the composites industry and its global efforts in sustainability.