Lyondell Chemical Company has commercialised a series of high-performance dispersants for wallboard, architectural finishes, floor underlayment, ceiling tiles, joint compounds and other gypsum-based products, the company reported.

Designated Ethacryl G, these copolymer dispersants provide fluidity to gypsum slurry at reduced water content, resulting in shorter drying times, faster line speeds, less wastewater and an overall system cost savings. At current water levels, Ethacryl G can reduce dispersant consumption by 50 per cent to 80 per cent.
“Supplied as a 40 per cent aqueous solution, the trademarked Ethacryl G dispersants are nearly colourless, making them well suited for specialty gypsum applications, where colour is a concern,” a company text said. “The water-soluble polycarboxylate copolymers contain unique polyalkylene oxide polymer ‘teeth’ that give them a ‘comb-branched’ structure and excellent stabilisation properties. Ethacryl G dispersants provide the user the flexibility to reduce water or reduce dispersant usage.”
Through its leading position in propylene oxide and its 70.5 per cent ownership of Equistar Chemicals, LP, a producer of propylene, ethylene, and ethylene oxide, Lyondell produces the key raw materials found in Ethacryl.
“This gives Lyondell a unique position in the market, because it brings the strength of key raw material integration to the manufacturing and marketing of these dispersants,” says Frank Liotta, manager, new product commercialisation. “This combined with our strong technology position allows Lyondell to expand its Ethacryl product line to include products for use in pigments, coatings, concrete and detergent applications.”
Headquarterd in Houston, Texas, USA, Lyondell Chemical Company is a recognised leader in the chemical industry, providing the basic chemical building blocks that go into clothing, food packaging, construction and homebuilding materials, household furnishings and automotive parts. Its operations span the US, South America, Europe and Asia.
The company is a leading producer of propylene oxide (PO); PO derivatives toluene diisocyanate (TDI), propylene glycol (PG), butanediol (BDO) and propylene glycol ether (PGE); and styrene monomer and MTBE as co-products of PO production.
Through its stake Equistar Chemicals, LP, Lyondell also is one of the largest producers of ethylene, propylene and polyethylene in North America and a leading producer of ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, high value-added specialty polymers and polymeric powder.
Through its 58.75 per cent interest in Lyondell-Citgo Refining LP, Lyondell is one of the largest refiners in the United States, principally processing extra-heavy Venezuelan crude oil to produce gasoline, low-sulfur diesel and jet fuel.