Development and Scale-up of An Emulsion Polymerization Process

A specialty polymer latex (emulsion) with a relatively low molecular weight, high molecular weight distribution and a Tg in a specific range was developed at benchscale and pilot plant level. After initially working with a batch procedure, a switch was made to a semicontinuous emulsion polymerization process that allowed the manipulation of the formulation as well as the process parameters to obtain the desired polymer. A successful pilot plant scale-up was followed by technology transfer to a production unit.