Hypalon crisis fears allayed
26 August 2009
BM Polyco, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of hand protection, has been instrumental in easing the potentially serious effects of Du Pont’s decision to close its only Hypalon manufacturing plant in Beaumont, United States.
Hypalon crisis fears allayed
Hypalon, currently made solely by Du Pont, is used to make the industry- standard containment gloves and gauntlets for applications in the nuclear and pharmaceutical markets. Given that the validation and approval processes for these essential items are lengthy, the closure plans posed a real danger for the respective industries.
The planned closure of the plant was brought about by the current economic climate. Hypalon (CSM- Chlorosulphonated Polyethylene) as a material has several specialist niche applications, however its primary market has been the Automotive sector. As an indirect consequence of the intense global downturn, the Texas based production plant was rendered financially unviable.
However, due to BM Polyco and French glove manufacturer Piercan lobbying Du Pont, along with recent successful discussions at the American Glovebox Society’s annual conference, the original plans for closure of the plant in June have been delayed. Furthermore, there is promise that the plant will continue to run into the first quarter of 2010 should there be sufficient demand.
Major users, such as Sellafield Sites and AWE along with leading glove manufacturers BM Polyco and Piercan worked together with Du Pont to allay initial fears and draw up a plan to ensure adequate production quantities are made available to allow time for alternatives to be sought.
BM Polyco has already identified potential technologies which could offer an alternative to Hypalon, and has commenced an intensive programme to develop new products for a range of markets including nuclear and pharmaceutical.
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