Over the last year, the business has had more difficulties than I have come across during my 30 years experience. In the past I have seen sharp price increases, and I have experienced several shortages, and delivery problems resulting from resin allocations through plastic resin companies. This is the first time I have seen all these issues at the same time.
PTFE (TFE) and Kynar – PVDF both are on allocation.
The two of these resins are in short supply. The PTFE Sheeting product PTFE (TFE) as well as PVDF manufacturing requires a mineral called Fluorspar which is mined in Mongolia and China. The worldwide need for this mineral has increased significantly, as well as supply has tightened. PTFE materials have high heat resistance, excellent chemical resistance and really low co-efficient of friction (slippery) and is utilized in dozens of applications from non-stick fry kitchenware to ptfe tape for personal use. This particular mineral is actually a critical raw material in the manufacturing of fluoropolymers, fluorolubricants and lots of refrigerants.This rise in demand combined with shortage of raw materials has caused a dramatic price increase (almost double within the last year), shortages, and we expect these two factors to continue in the near future.