Repsol YPF

Hotmelt

Repsol YPF is specialized in the hotmelt market where it develops and manufactures base polymers that are essential in the formulation of adhesives.Also known as thermoblenders, Hotmelt adhesives are 100% solid and are applied when melted in order to form a strong bond when they cool. The speed of adhesion is very high due to the absence of solvents in their formula.
 
One of the reasons for the success of EVA copolymers in the hotmelt adhesives area, is their excellent compatibility with a wide range of adhesive resins, waxes, and other polymers. This compatibility is the result of a decreased crystallinity and the increased polarity of the molecule, both caused by the vinyl acetate, and both of which vary depending on its concentration.

Repsol YPF has extensive experience in EVA copolymers production, and also has versatile plants to produce a wide range of products. The EVA copolymers generally used in hotmelt applications have an 18-45% vinyl acetate content in weight.

Product portfolio
The basic variables that determine the type and characteristics of an EVA copolymer, and consequently the characteristics of a Hotmelt are:

• The polymers molecular weight (MW). 
• The vinyl acetate content (VA)            

The variation of VA not only affects its compatibility with other raw materials, but also influences almost all the other characteristics such as softening point, bonding strength, specific adhesion, cost, flexibility, tenacity at low temperature, etc.

The grades of EVA copolymers offered by Repsol YPF for adhesives are as follows:

Grade	VA(%)	MI(190,2.16)
PA-410	18	150
PA-411	18	500
PA-420	20	20
PA-430	24	3
PA-440	28	7
PA-441	28	25
PA-442	28	150
PA-443	28	400
PA-444	28	50
PA-460	33	25
PA-461	33	45