DuPont Performance Elastomers, manufacturers of the long-successful Hypalon® chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE), released a short statement in May this year that it would exit the Hypalon® market. The exit was abrupt, with an end of June 2009 target set for ceasing production. The move will affect many industries, including geosynthetics.
In its May release, DuPont wrote, “This step is necessary in view of the significant deterioration of sales volume in all major regions and end-use market segments and our assessment that this business has ceased to be sustainable over the long-term.”
DuPont’s exit puts manufacturers of CSPE geomembranes and roofing materials in a difficult situation. Dow Roofing Systems and Geomembranes is one of these companies. For many years, DuPont has produced the elastomer; Dow has produced the membrane materials with Hypalon®.
It’s unfortunate that conditions do not currently forecast long-term sustainability of this elastomer market, for the geomembranes produced with Hypalon® have been very successful in long-term applications. Installations as old as 25 and 30 years have revealed impressive, “as-manufactured” performance data.
CSPE geomembranes are essentially synthetic rubber. They’re highly durable and hold up very well to exposure and difficult installation conditions, even curing a bit over time into a vulcanized membrane. CSPE panels exhibit a low coefficient of thermal expansion and contraction, and they possess excellent dimensional stability. They may also be pre-fabricated, which can offer some savings in seam quality and faster site installation.
Common CSPE applications have included floating covers on reservoirs, mine tailings impoundments, fish hatchery installations, and wastewater lagoons.
DuPont developed its core Hypalon® elastomers in the 1950s. Since then, numerous elastomers in the Hypalon® family have been used steadily in a wide variety of industries and products, not just in geosynthetic manufacturing. You can find variations of Hypalon® in the production of industrial cables, coatings, and single-ply roofing materials.
While DuPont clients, such as Dow, have the option to source CSPE elsewhere, the time and cost involved in verifying and approving a new source’s CSPE, measured against current market conditions, seems prohibitive. At the very least, it will be disruptive to the supply chain. DuPont’s Hypalon® has not just been innovative in and of itself but has led to significant innovations in other sectors. In short, it has been much too successful to be replaced so quickly.
It’s expected that by 2010 CSPE geomembrane and roofing membrane manufacturers will have exhausted their stock of Hypalon®. Many product lines are expected to be retired. New market conditions may lead to a renewal of these sectors, but most likely not for some time.
LINKS
DuPont’s May 2009 Release:
http://www.dupontelastomers.com/News/english/press.asp?pressRelease=2009-05-14-HypalonExit
Dow Geomembranes Profile on geosynthetica:
https://www.geosynthetica.net/buyers-guide/all/
