Swiss-based Clariant, a global producer of specialty chemicals, on April 7 announced the start-up of additional capacity for Phosphate Esters (P-Esters) at its plant in Gendorf, Germany, to extend existing production at its Knapsack facility.
P-Esters enhance the performance of a wide range of industrial and consumer applications through their use as emulsifiers, wetting and dispersing agents, antistatic agents and as extreme pressure/antiwear additives for metalworking fluids.
The new capacity at Gendorf enables Clariant to support global demand from customers in the market segment Industrial Lubricants, as well as in the Paints & Coatings, Crop Solutions and Personal Care segments. Furthermore, the investment creates opportunities for Clariant to extend its portfolio with innovative developments for emerging application areas.
"Among other things, the new capacity will be used to produce our EP and AW additives we promote under the trademark Hordaphos." Clariant spokesman James Stephens told OEM/Lube News.
"For example, Hordaphos MDIT is a phosphorus based water soluble corrosion inhibitor for use in aqueous metal working fluids, fire resistant hydraulic fluids, and industrial gear oils. It offers excellent corrosion protection for both steel and aluminum while reducing copper and cobalt leaching. At the same time Hordaphos MDIT delivers additional functionality such as lubrication and EP/AW properties" said Stephens.
"Clariants product range of multifunctional EP/AW additives, offering emulsification and corrosion inhibition properties, comprise several products such as Hordaphos 145, Hordaphos 774, Hordaphos 774, Hordaphos 1306, Hordaphos MDAH, Hordaphos MDHX, Hordaphos MD, Hordaphos MDGB, and Hostaphat 1322. Clariant also produces phosphate esters in USA, Brazil, and China" continued Stephens.
Although phosphate esters are also produced and used as lube basestocks, such as Clariant's Hostagliss, Stephens told OEM/Lube News "There will not be Hostagliss ester production at this Gendorf location. Clariant's Hostagliss phosphate ester lube basestocks are produced at Mt. Holly, NC, Spain, and China."
Dr. Alexander Snell, Head of Sales Industrial Applications EMEA comments: "Production of Phosphate-Esters at the BU ICS site at Gendorf will improve their global availability for our customers. P-Esters are also versatile ingredients, allowing new product developments that further enhance our portfolio. In particular, the new capacity supports our broader strategy to become a solution provider for dispersing agents in the Paints & Coatings sector."
