In the last year, the market has experienced more allocations than I have seen in my thirty years experience. In the past I have seen sharp price increases, and I have seen several shortages, and delivery problems resulting from material allocations from resin companies. This is definitely the first instance I have seen all these issues at one time.
PTFE Rod (TFE) and Kynar both are on allocation.
This pair of resins are in short supply. The PTFE Sheet product PTFE (TFE) and also Kynar manufacturing requires a mineral called Fluorspar that's mined in Mongolia and China. The worldwide need for this mineral has risen significantly, as well as the supply has tightened. PTFE materials have high temperature resistance, excellent chemical resistance and extremely low co-efficient of friction (slick) and is used in a lot of purposes from non-stick fry pots and pans to ptfe tape for home use. This specific mineral is actually the critical raw material within the production of fluoropolymers, fluorolubricants and quite a few refrigerants.This increase in demand combined with shortage of raw materials is responsible for a dramatic price increase (almost double in the last year), shortages, and we expect both these factors to continue in the near future.
When you are looking around for a plastic sheet distributor you will certainly additionally intend to research the business that you are handling to see to it that they are most likely to be around for a long time. If you are going to be having a great deal of issues with your plastic sheet supply you are most likely to intend to make certain that you are most likely to have the ability to trust them to continue to supply you with the top quality item that you have actually come to anticipate, for many years.