THE CONTRIBUTION OF EPOXY RESINS TO EUROPEAN BUSINESS . - Epoxy Europe

THE CONTRIBUTIONOF EPOXY RESINSTO EUROPEAN BUSINESSAND CONSUMERSEPOXY RESIN COMMITTEE

WHEREARE THEY USED?EPOXY RESINS IN THE EUEpoxy resins are a highly diverse family of polymericmaterials with outstanding chemical properties andperformance characteristics.CIVIL ENGINEERINGTRANSPORTCOMPOSITESOTHER COATINGSOften simply referred to as epoxies, they were createdin the 1930s and soon became widely available asadhesives. Today, more than 50 different substancesknown as epoxy resins are available on the market.Epichlorohydrin and Bisphenol A are their mostcommon constituents.(flooring, coatings, etc)WIND ENERGY60,000 T51,400 T 26,000 T25,000 TThey are used as coatings and reinforcing componentsin numerous everyday products and in highlyspecialised industrial machinery, from windmills, carsand floorings to food cans, IT components, sportsequipment and many others.TRANSPORTCOATINGSFOODPROCESSINGMACHINERYCAN & COILCOATINGS23,000 T17,600 T 17,600 TENERGY ANDELECTRICALCOATINGS(appliances, sports, etc)10,000 T280,000 TONNESPRODUCED EVERY YEAREPOXY PRODUCTIONERC EU PRODUCTIONSITESPLDENLCZSW12 806 MILLION SALES IN 2013Production and sales data derived from a survey ofERC members’ activity in 2013. Other data extractedfrom publicly available sources.Visit www.epoxy-europe.eu for more information.IT2010200520002095199019851980191975ES 16 MILLIONANNUAL R&D2,500FULL TIME EMPLOYEES

KEY SECTORSENERGY & ELECTRICALEPOXY MANUFACTURERSLONGER, STRONGERAND LIGHTER WIND BLADESALSO USED TO COAT STEELAND CONCRETE TOWERSOF WINDMILLSWIND TURBINE POLES INTHE NORTH SEA ARE COATEDWITH EPOXY TO PROTECT THESTRUCTURE FROM SALT WATERCORROSIONUP TO 50%OF THE WIND ENERGY MARKETMAY BE USING EPOXY RESINSEpoxy resins are primarily used in theconstruction of wind turbine bladesand applied as protective coatings.They provide strength, durability andlower weight, enabling the productionof longer blades. Coatings prolong theoperational lifetime of turbines and theircomponents, lowering overall costs.They are also found in electricaland energy distribution systemsin the form of sealants, coatingsand adhesives as well as in castingsystems for transformers, insulatorsand bushings.WindenergyElectrical & energysystemsWindturbinemanufacturersElectronic andtelecommunicationcomponent manufacturersElectrical/Mechanicalequipment suppliersEnergy/UtilityCompaniesPrinted circuitboard manufacturersElectricity/Energydistribution componentmanufacturersElectrical motor/GeneratormanufacturersEnergy/Utility companies,retailers (various)GREATER PROTECTIONOF ENERGY AND ELECTRICALCOMPONENTSWIND TURBINE HEIGHT AND DIAMETERSRotor Diameter (m)Rating (kW)SMARTPHONES, MODERNMEDICAL EQUIPMENT LIKEMRI SCANS AND MANY OTHERSUSE EPOXY RESINS AS ANESSENTIAL COMPONENT17 m75kW 208 MILLION ANNUAL SALES1980199030 m300kW19901995250,000 JOBS80 m1,800kW70 m1,500kW50 m750kW1995200020002005200520102010100 m3,000kWEU ENERGY SECTORRotor Diameter (m)Rating (kW)100 m3,000kW70 m1,500kW 7 BN 800,000 JOBSTURNOVERTURNOVER30 m300kW 187 BNIN THE ENERGY AND ELECTRICITYIN WIND ENERGYDISTRIBUTION DOWNSTREAM SECTORS19901995200020052010

TRANSPORTEPOXY MANUFACTURERSLONGER-LASTING AND LIGHTERINTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMPONENTSREDUCED NEED FOR MAINTENANCE ANDREPLACEMENT PARTSPREVENT DAMAGE FROM DEBRIS ORCORROSION IN RAILWAYSPROTECT AND INSULATE COATINGS ANDPRIMERS IN BOATS AND SHIPSEPOXY COMPOSITES SAVE720,000 TONNESOF CO2 AIRCRAFT EMISSIONSPER YEAR 185 MILLION ANNUAL SALESEpoxy-based coating technologywas introduced in the automotiveproduction process 30 years ago.Today, cars are coated in epoxy viacathodic electrodesposition (CED),a process which increasesthe resistance of bodyworkto water and corrosion.Epoxies deliver similar internaland external advantages to othermeans of transportation, prolongingthe useful life of components andallowing greater use of compositecomponents. Ultimately, they improvethe efficiency of vehicles and savefuel, thus reducing CO2 emissions.Land and seavehicleAircraftCars, motorbike andlorry manufacturersAircraft manufacturersBoat manufacturersAircraft componentmanufacturers, incl. enginemanufacturersTrain manufacturersTransport componentmanufacturersTrain operators, hauliers/distribution logistics firms,car retailersAircraft maintenance repairoverhaul contractorsCommercial airlines,aircraft leasingcompanies, nationalgovernmentsEU TRANSPORT MANUFACTURING SECTOR2,500,000 JOBS45,000COMPANIES 908 BNTURNOVEREPOXY MANUFACTURERSConstruction andCivil engineeringCONSTRUCTIONINCREASED STRENGTH,DURABILITY AND WEATHERRESISTANCEUSED AS FIRE PROTECTION INCOMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIALINSTALLATIONSEASY-TO-CLEAN SURFACES AS FOREXAMPLE HOSPITAL FLOORING 183 MILLION ANNUAL SALESEpoxies are extensivelyused in buildings, roadsand bridges thanks totheir bonding and sealingproperties.They are oftenused as replacements formechanical fixings or appliedto flooring to protect fromwear, tear, slippage andcreate surfaces which areeasy to clean.Sealant, mortars, putty,adhesive manufacturers(professional)Construction and civilengineering suppliers andconstructorsEU CONSTRUCTION SECTOR10,5 MLJOBS 1,556 BN3,3 MLCOMPANIESTURNOVER

FOOD AND WATEREPOXY MANUFACTURERSLONGER SHELF-LIFE FORCANNED PRODUCTSGREATER HYGIENE ANDCHEAPER FOODPROTECT LIDS FROMCORROSION IN GLASSBOTTLES AND JARSUSED AS LININGS TOPRESERVE FOOD IN CANS ANDOTHER PACKAGING FROMLOSING FLAVOURFEWER LEAKAGES ANDCORROSIONIN WATER PIPESEpoxy resins are applied to the internal coating ofcans, preventing corrosion and ensuring a longshelf-life for canned goods. Consumers can storefood for long periods, while producers can tradelocal and seasonal food all year-round.Food and beverage processing machines useepoxy resins. They shield the food from beingtainted by the machinery and vice versa, raisinghygiene standards and lowering maintenancecosts. Epoxies are also used to prevent corrosionand leaks in water pipes. They can be used innew or old pipes alike as joints or to repair holesor eTin canmanufacturers(for food use)Food processingmachinerymanufacturersWater pipemanufacturersRepair andmaintenancefirmsRepair andmaintenancefirmsFood processorsand retailers 75 MILLION ANNUAL SALESUtilitycompaniesEU FOOD/BEVERAGE PROCESSING MACHINERY SECTOR110,000 JOBS,0006COMPANIESHOME AND LEISUREHIGHER-PERFORMING,MORE RELIABLE ANDFATIGUE RESISTANTSPORTS GEAR &EQUIPMENTAFFORDABLE ANDVERSATILE TOOLS FORHOMEOWNERSEpoxies reduce weight andincrease responsiveness ofsports equipment enablinglighter, stronger and longerlasting components. They arealso sold as home improvementand do-it-yourself tools in localhardware stores. 21 BILLIONTURNOVEREPOXY MANUFACTURERSSports & g. skis, golfclubs, tennisracquets,kayaks, surfboards, etc.) 80 MILLION ANNUAL SALESSporting goodsretaillersDo-it-yourself homerepair (DIY)Sealant, mortars,putty, adhesivemanufacturersDo-it-yourself andhome improvementretailersASSESSMENTS FROMTHE EUROPEAN FOODSAFETY AUTHORITY (EFSA)CONCLUDED THERE ISNO HEALTH RISK FROMCURRENT USES OF BPA,INCLUDING IN FOOD ANDOTHER APPLICATIONS.ANY REGULATORY ACTIONSUBSTITUTING EPOXIESWITH SUBSTANCES WHOSEEFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTHAND THE ENVIRONMENTHAVE BEEN SUBJECT TOLESS RESEARCH THANEPOXIES WOULD BE DRIVENBY REASONS OTHER THANSCIENTIFIC RESEARCHAND LOWER FOOD ANDCONSUMER SAFETY.

THE EPOXY RESIN COMMITTEEThe Epoxy Resin Commitee (ERC) is a non-profit industry group of major European epoxy resins producersorganised under Plastics Europe, the Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe.The ERC acts as a source of action and information on issues and initiatives related to health, safety andenvironmental topics, and provides analysis on other factors affecting the industry to develop positions andpolicies aimed at creating a constructive dialogue with all interested groups.EMS-GRILTECHCONTACTEpoxy Resin Committee PlasticsEuropeAvenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 4/31160 Brussels, l 2015

USED AS FIRE PROTECTION IN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL INSTALLATIONS EASY-TO-CLEAN SURFACES AS FOR EXAMPLE HOSPITAL FLOORING 183 MILLION ANNUAL SALES TRANSPORT Epoxy-based coating technology was introduced in the automotive production process 30 years ago. Today, cars are coated in epoxy via cathodic electrodesposition (CED), Aircraft