Tags: Sustainability / Natural Adhesives Polyurethane Adhesives
Cardolite is known for the innovation of specialty chemical products from cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL). CNSL is a renewable product that is used in the formation of many advanced materials.
Considering the environmental conditions, the specialty chemicals industry majorly looks for sustainable and renewable sources to lower carbon footprint and global warming and Cardolite is one amongst them to adapt it way faster and effectively.
We talked to Yun Mi Kim from Cardolite to find out more about their ideology and how they are meeting the requirement for sustainable ingredients in the adhesives industry.
#1. Can you tell us about the history of Cardolite and how it came up with developing CNSL technology?
The development of the use of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) in commerce can be traced from Cardolite Corporation to its predecessors 3M Company, and the joint venture between Irvington Varnish and Insulator Company and Harvel Corporation. Close to a century ago, Dr. M. T. Harvey from Harvel Corporation, recognized that the unique chemical structure of CNSL could bring benefits to many industrial applications. CNSL is an annually renewable material that does not interfere with the food chain. In the 1930’s, Irvington and Harvel developed the first significant commercial use of CNSL which is friction particles for the brake lining industry (still a major consumer of CNSL). In 1953, 3M Company acquired Irvington and developed new families of products with epoxy and amine functionalities.
In 1984, Cardolite was formed when the CNSL business and assets were acquired from 3M by a management buyout led by Mr. Anthony Stonis, Cardolite’s current chairman. By this time, CNSL-based materials had shown great promise in the epoxy protective coatings market because of their fast curing properties, good adhesion to poorly prepared surfaces, and excellent corrosion resistance. Since then, Cardolite and its customers have pioneered the growth of CNSL derivatives in coatings and have expanded their use to other markets such as adhesives,
polyurethane, insulation foams, surfactants, composites and various automotive and industrial applications.
Cardolite continues to focus on advancing the use of CNSL by investing in new manufacturing capabilities, research for the development of new products and technologies, and technical service to support customers meet new industry demands.
#2. “Innovation is at the heart of Cardolite’s culture.” Could you please elaborate how Cardolite has innovated and how ingredients are formulated (for adhesives & coatings) today?
Cardolite innovation efforts start by working closely with customers to understand their formulation needs and then taking advantage of the versatility of CNSL to find new ways to derivatize it in order to achieve a certain property. CNSL-based chemicals not only offer high renewable content, but also meet challenging performance needs in epoxy, polyurethane, and other chemistries commonly used in adhesives and coatings formulations. Some of the recent CNSL innovations namely
NX-2026,
Ultra LITE 513,
LITE 513DF,
NX-8101,
NX-9008,
NX-9014,
NX-9018,
NX-9203,
NX-9212 developed by Cardolite include ultra-light color technology, zero/low VOC materials including waterborne options, polyols, and diols of a wide range of properties, and 3D-printable chemistry. Novel ingredients have demonstrated excellent compatibility with existing raw materials, and enhanced durability through increased mechanical strengths and environmental resistance (chemical/thermal).
Learn How CNSL Technology Acts as a Versatile Tool for High Performance Adhesives
#3. What are some special characteristics of the CNSL technology that makes formulating for adhesives and coatings easier?
- The hydrophobic nature of CNSL-based polyols, diols, epoxy resins, curing agents and diluents, enables formulators to develop highly durable structural adhesives in epoxy and polyurethane systems.
- CNSL molecules offer good handling and compatibility properties whether the system is hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or oleophobic, and thus, can be a tool for formulators to develop hybrid systems that can meet needs in highly demanding structural adhesives formulations (high strengths/toughness/thermal performances).
- The excellent surface tolerance of CNSL products allows formulators to design adhesives and coatings that can adhere to poorly prepared/cleaned surfaces and to other challenging substrates as encountered in automotive, construction, and marine applications.
- The ability of CNSL materials to cure under adverse conditions (e.g., low temperature and high humidity, under water) provides options to formulators that cannot control the application environment of their products.
Read about this announcement on newly launched CNSL-derived Weatherable Polyol
#4. Could you share about benefits that CNSL technology extends for structural adhesives (as compared to traditional materials)?
- CNSL epoxy curing agents offers efficient cure and fast strength development under severe conditions, i.e. low temperature, under water, and oil-contaminated substrates.
- CNSL polyols and diols can be formulated into polyurethane adhesive and sealants with reduced moisture sensitivity and increased water resistance, thus, leading to improved durability of the PU system.
- CNSL epoxy resins are excellent alternatives to petroleum-based epoxies with increased hydrophobicity, flexibility, high bio-content, and balanced thermal performances and strengths.
#5. How do you anticipate the future of CNSL and other renewable technology in helping suppliers to meet their sustainability goals (in the Adhesives industry)?
The increased commitment of the coatings and adhesives industries to lower carbon footprint and global warming potential, has led to an increase in demand for high bio-content materials that do not interfere with the food-chain like CNSL.
Cardolite’s CNSL technology has a long history of being incorporated in adhesives and coatings formulations based on performance benefits and availability on a global basis. Cardolite’s vast experience combined with ongoing customer feedback will continue to guide CNSL product development efforts to deliver sustainable solutions with unprecedented performance.
Must Read:
Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL) Diols Bring Sustainability in PU
Cardolite is committed to investing in sustainable innovation solutions (high bio-content, zero VOC) and empowering our communities to enable a better future for the people and the planet.
Cardolite has focused and will continue to focus on reducing the use of natural resources and lowering the carbon footprint at its facilities, and giving back to the community by funding education and cultural activities.
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About Yun Mi Kim
Dr. Yun Mi Kim is a Senior Technical Marketing Director at Cardolite Corporation. She received her Ph.D. in Materials and Science Engineering from University of Florida.
She is responsible for developing new products on adhesives and coatings. She has vast knowledge on surface modification and characterization and various adhesive technologies including epoxy, polyurethane, and silicone.
Field of Expertise: Surface chemistry and adhesives