Specialty polymer manufacturers produce specialty polymers by compounding natural or synthetic polymers. Polymer suppliers also produce specialty polymers by consulting custom chemical formulators.

The major application of specialty polymers is in the plastics industry. However, other industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and rubber industries also use specialty polymer products.

Some important parameters you must know before searching specialty polymer manufacturing companies are:

1. Application of the specialty polymers
2. Types of specialty polymers available in the market
3. Chemical composition of the specialty polymers
4. Physical properties such as hardness, density and forms
5. Operating conditions
6. Required quantity of the specialty polymers

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Find a reputable polymer manufacturer that supplies specialty polymers

Once you know your requirements, check out different specialty polymer products offered by different synthetic polymer manufacturers.

I recommend: Solvay Advanced Polymers is a specialty polymer manufacturer that supplies ultra polymers, sulfone polymers, polyamides and semi-crystalline polymers. RTP Company is a plastic manufacturing company that offers wear resistant, flame retardant and elastomeric plastic compounds. Specialty Polymers, a reputable developer and manufacturer of emulsion polymers, provides polymer adhesives and coatings. Advanced Polymer Solutions is another polymer manufacturer that offers polymer coatings, additives and adhesives. If you need plastomers, copolymers or functionalized polymers, check out products offered by Exxon Mobil, a leading petrochemical producer.

Search polymer distributors that offer specialty polymers

You can buy specialty or advanced polymer products at distributors or retailers of polymer products. You can also compare different specialty polymers based on their features and prices at distributors' websites.

I recommend: Goodfellow is a reputable material supplier that offers various polymer products including polyamide, polyetherimide, polyoxymethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) products. EMCO Industrial Plastics is another polymer distributor that supplies specialty polymer products. You can also buy hydrocarbon polymers at Chemtex, a supplier of spill control products.

Contact toll manufacturers to produce specialty polymers as per your requirements

You can ask custom and toll-manufacturing companies to produce specialty polymers that suit your application. Consult custom formulators and custom compounding companies to design the polymers and manufacturing processes before you opt for toll manufacturers. However, check out the toll manufacturers' credentials to ensure the confidentiality of your polymers and the manufacturing process for them.

I recommend: Specialty Polymers & Services, a reputable material supplier for the aerospace, automotive and electronic industries, provides contract-manufacturing services. Cytec Industries provides specialty polymer formulation services to produce epoxy resins and polyurethane compounds. Polysciences is a chemical synthesis and manufacturing company that also offers contract-manufacturing services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While consulting specialty polymer companies, use standard abbreviations of polymers suggested by International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. (IUPAC)
• •  Perform a cost-value analysis before buying specialty polymers, as specialty polymers are more expensive than simple polymer compounds.

Specialty polymer manufacturers produce materials found in fibers, building components, plastics, coatings, adhesives and ceramics, to name a few. If your small business works with specialty polymers, or if you're an insider who works in industries such as engineering, health, the environment, computers or science, then it's important to distinguish between specialty and synthetic polymers. Examples of synthetic polymers include rubber, adhesives, superconductors and plastics, while most natural specialty polymers include cellulose, proteins, diamonds and agate material. Picking the right materials and tools to use with specialty polymers means doing the research to find specialty polymer manufacturers that can fulfill your project needs.

Consider specialty polymer manufacturers basics like choosing materials based on their properties. Specialty polymer suppliers assist with picking the right coating, adhesive or superconductor based on the task. For instance, specialty and synthetic polymers have varying properties, such as electrical resistance or the ability to withstand a specific voltage, the temperature range at which a material can be exposed without damage and viscosity, or flow resistance, which applies to molding or shaping applications. Other specialty polymer manufacturer basics include:

1. Finding specialty polymer manufacturers.

2. Picking certified specialty polymer manufacturers.

3. Locating special services such as custom compounding.

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Search for specialty polymer manufacturers that carry a large supply

Specialty and synthetic polymers, as well as organic and inorganic polymers, should be in stock to appeal across all industries.

I recommend: Ticona Engineering Polymers manufactures liquid crystal specialty polymers and copolymers for the information technology, automotive, consumer and medical products industries. Mitsui Chemicals America offers specialty polymers to the personal care, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, packaging and industrial markets. Find water-based specialty polymers such as coatings, paints and resins at Gellner Industrial.

Find specialty polymer manufacturers that are certified

Common industry certifications are the International Standard for Organization (ISO), the Aerospace Basic Quality System (AS) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

I recommend: ISO-certified Solvay Solexis develops specialty and synthetic polymers that meet high-tech and industrial standards. Specialty polymers from Oxford Polymers meet ASTM standards.

Look for polymer manufacturer special services from custom chemical formulators

For services such as custom compounding and new product development, establish a solid business relationship with the polymer manufacturer.

I recommend: ABC Polymers recycles specialty polymers and polyethylene plastics, and provides custom compounding services. Master Bond provides technical support and application engineering of adhesives and coatings. The custom compounders at The Chemical Co. offer chemical consulting and new product development assistance.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most polymer manufacturing companies distribute specialty polymers according to their acronyms, common names and structure names. Such names are provided by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. One example of a trade name is polyethylene terephthalate. Polyester, nylon and rayon are generic names for some specialty polymers.

Specialty polymer manufacturers require similar education backgrounds to other forms of chemical manufacturing. The professional knowledge needed to work in natural or synthetic polymers is a Bachelor of Science in chemical or industrial engineering or another chemical-related field.

While chemical manufacture for a specific industry, such as pharmaceuticals or medicine, may require more specialized training, general chemistry knowledge and an engineering background are ideal specialty polymer manufacturers education and training. For an entry level position in manufacturing and custom compounding, less education is required.

To begin your specialty polymer manufacturers education and training, consider the following options:

1. Get a degree in a chemical-related field for manufacturing or custom compounding.
2. Obtain additional training from conferences and seminars in synthetic polymers.
3. Learn about industry-specific standards that apply to you and your workplace.
   

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Prepare to work with natural and synthetic polymers with a higher education credential

In order to work as a high-level professional for a polymer manufacturer, a Bachelor of Science degree or higher in a chemical-related science or engineering field is necessary. Some specialty polymer suppliers must have a degree in a specific chemical or materials discipline, while others may need only a general chemistry or other science degree.

I recommend: Penn State Materials Science and Engineering program offers a specific program for working with specialty polymers. The University of North Dakota allows students to obtain a degree in chemical, civil, electrical or mechanical engineering online through distance learning.

Learn from other specialty polymer suppliers and professionals through conferences and seminars

Another way to obtain education and training in working with specialty polymers is to attend conferences and professional meetings. Science and engineering researchers, manufacturers and custom chemical formulators all contribute to the information offered by annual conferences and seminars of professional societies in the polymer industry.

I recommend: Learn about the cutting edge of specialty polymers at annual conferences like those held by the Society of Plastics Engineers and the Polymer Processing Society. Many societies also have a professional or technical journal with the latest knowledge about specialty polymers.

Stay certified with industry standards in manufacturing and custom compounding

If you work in specialty polymer formulation, you will also need to stay current on the industry standards for certification in your field. Specialty polymer suppliers can access current standards online, as well as provide online access for clients to view their certifications.

I recommend: Stay current on the education and training required by industry standards for companies working with synthetic polymers. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) have searchable databases by industry keyword that provide information on industry certifications.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In addition to seeking professionals with advanced degrees, polymer manufacturing companies also hire people with experience and education in business, management and administrative areas. If you are interesting in working in the manufacturing industry but don't have a science or engineering background, consider these other potential avenues.

Companies in a wide range of industries may find themselves in need of specialty polymers at one time or another. When you find yourself in such a situation, it's important to arm yourself and your team with some key terms to ensure that you know how to work with polymer manufacturers. Take some time to learn the following important terms: ablative plastic, bicomponent, injection molding, plasticizer, polymerization and transfer molding.

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Ablative plastic

Ablative plastic is a term applied to a resin or polymer that has a surface layer which is capable of burning away when exposed to high levels of heat, revealing a new layer beneath.

I recommend: Go to Franklin Adhesives and Polymers to learn more about ablative plastics and other specialty polymers terms. The site also has a selection of informative news articles and technical videos.

Bicomponent

A bicomponent is what results when two different polymers extrude through the same spinneret.

I recommend: Foss Manufacturing Company provides an excellent definition of the term biocomponent. Peruse the company's glossary to learn a host of other key specialty polymers terms.

Injection molding

Injection molding is the process that pumps thermoplastics into specially designed molds. Once the plastics cool, the workers can remove them from the molds. Injection molding is the method chosen when you need precise molding.

I recommend: Learn more about injection molding from Solvay. The company also provides definitions of a wide array of other polymer terms.

Plasticizer

A plasticizer is a material added to a polymer to make it softer, more resilient and flexible. Plasticizers are an important element of most specialty polymer products.

I recommend: You can find a definition of the term plasticizer on The Chemical Heritage Foundation website. The site provides in-depth information about a wealth of specialty polymers key terms.

Polymerization

Polymerization is the process where monomers fuse together through a chemical reaction to form a polymer.

I recommend: The Acrylic Sign World can provide you with a straightforward definition of polymerization.

Transfer molding

Transfer molding is a process used primarily for thermosetting resins. During the process polymers mix with additives and heat in a pot. The mixture then moves on to a preheated mold.

I recommend: Molding Solutions outlines the transfer molding process along with an in-depth definition of the term. You can also gather other useful information about specialty polymers at the site.