Laurox

Laurox^®supports the (co)polymerization of styrene, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, and (meth)acrylates, and it is also used to cure acrylic solid surface at elevated temperatures. This versatility makes Laurox^® relevant for key market segments including thermoset composites, acrylics manufacturing, and polymer production—each with distinct performance needs and processing conditions.

Supply reliability and added Laurox^® capacity from Los Reyes

To further strengthen supply reliability for customers, Nouryon made an investment in the Laurox® production line at our Los Reyes site. This improvement increased the reliability of the line and expanded its effective capacity by the equivalent of approximately a 25% increase in Laurox^® output. While production is located in Los Reyes, the added capacity supports customers beyond South America, with Europe as the main market and Asia as the second-largest.

Thermosets: curing acrylic solid surface

Beyond polymerization, Laurox^® is used as a curing agent for acrylic solid surface applications at elevated temperatures.

Acrylics: an alternative to Perkadox^® AIBN

In acrylics production, Laurox^® can be used to initiate methyl methacrylate polymerization in the 60–90°C range. It is frequently selected as an alternative to 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (Perkadox^® AIBN), offering a reliable initiation option for acrylic manufacturing. Here, it concerns mainly solvent borne acrylic resins for the coatings industry.

In summary, Laurox^® and Laurox^® W-40 provide customers with a robust toolbox for polymerization and curing—supporting efficient reactor operation, clean processing (especially in water-based suspension form), and flexible use across PVC, polystyrene, and acrylic applications.

Sleek, modern kitchen countertop with a glossy, white/light grey quartz surface. — Kitchentable top - A thermoset application

Polymer production: broad utility across monomers

In polymer production, Laurox^® is a well-established initiator for suspension, micro-suspension and mass polymerization of vinyl chloride between 60°C and 80°C - either alone or in combination with a peroxydicarbonate to boost throughput.

A key advantage of Laurox® remains its ability to be stored at ambient temperature, supporting efficient logistics and handling.

Efficient and safe PVC production with Laurox^® W-40

Laurox^® W-40 is widely used as an initiator in micro-suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride, particularly in the 60°C to 80°C temperature range. To further increase reactor efficiency, Laurox^® W-40 is often combined with a more active initiator such as a peroxydicarbonate (e.g. Trigonox® EHP).

Using a water-based peroxide suspension offers several process and product benefits versus solid or solvent-based peroxides: improved safety, solvent-free operation (helping avoid contamination of the VCM recycle stream), enhanced PVC purity, easy pumpable handling for closed reactor technology.

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Organic peroxides

Laurox

Laurox® is an initiator for (co)polymerization of styrene, ethylene, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride and (meth)acrylates. Laurox® is also used as an initiator for curing acrylic solid surface at elevated temperatures.