Customers can now satisfy nearly all cellular PVC needs with Dow's expanded line of SURECEL™ foam cell promoters

Dow Plastics Additives announced that it has broadened its line of award-winning SURECEL™ Foam Cell Promoters. Customers may now choose among three SURECEL Foam Cell Promoters: SURECEL T-55 for free foam sheet, decking and profiles; SURECEL C for complicated celuka dies; and SURECEL T-50 for the lowest density free foam sheet. "Our tests demonstrate the complete package of benefits that can be achieved with SURECEL Foam Cell Promoters," says Rob Martin, Dow Plastics Additives North America marketing manager. "They deliver excellent cell structure and resist cell coalescence across all extrusion configurations and processes, so that manufacturers can now fill virtually any foam processing need through the expanded SURECEL product line."

Cellular PVC has surged in popularity for exterior building products such as trim and decking. Such growth challenges manufacturers to continue developing cellular PVC products with improved processes and formulations to yield maximum efficiency, cost effectiveness and consistent quality. "SURECEL T-55 allows manufacturers to achieve lower density and reduce raw material costs with a wider processing window," explains Eric Lundquist, PhD, global research director for Dow Plastics Additives. "SURECEL C flows exceptionally well through complicated celuka dies, solving a common process problem manufacturers had experienced. SURECEL C also accommodates exceptionally wide celuka slit dies, ensuring that flow remains flat and reaches the edges of the die while still delivering excellent, consistent densities," adds Lundquist.

SURECEL™ T-50 Foam Cell Promoter can deliver densities as low as 0.50 g/cc to reduce raw material costs as much as seven to eight percent per board foot. "This cost profile allows customers to compete against wood, while the process maintains the same uniform, fine cell structure you'd expect at higher densities," reports Martin, adding that paint adhesion performance is improved by using SURECEL T-50. Many experts are confident that cellular PVC densities will drop even further as demand increases.

SURECEL™ Foam Cell Promoter received a silver award from the SolVin Innovations in PVC competition at the K Show in October 2010. The technology was chosen out of over 140 submissions and 11 finalists and is the only additive technology to have ever received this prestigious recognition.