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

Laurox^® is widely used in the thermoset composites segment as an initiator for curing acrylic solid surface materials at elevated temperatures. These materials are commonly used in high-performance, filled systems such as sanitary ware, countertops, and engineered surfaces.

In these applications, Laurox^® decomposes to generate free radicals that initiate the polymerization and crosslinking of acrylic resins, enabling the formation of dense, mechanically stable thermoset structures. This controlled decomposition behavior within the 60–90°C range allows manufacturers to:

Achieve consistent curing in thick or highly filled casting systems
Maintain controlled reaction rates during processing
Produce high-quality surfaces with excellent mechanical strength and durability

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

The product is particularly suitable for batch casting processes where uniform curing and reproducibility are critical for final product quality.

Laurox^® complements Nouryon’s broader organic peroxide portfolio used for thermoset resin curing, enabling customers to select the optimal initiator system depending on processing temperature, resin composition, and desired curing profile.

Acrylics: Complements Azo-onitiators in MMA polymerization

Laurox^® is used as an initiator for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the 60–90°C temperature range. It provides reliable free radical generation, enabling consistent control of polymerization processes across a wide range of acrylic applications.

In several formulations, Laurox^® is selected as an alternative to azo-based initiation systems, offering a complementary decomposition mechanism and processing window. This allows manufacturers to optimize reaction kinetics, product performance, and processing flexibility.

At the same time, Nouryon also keeps supporting customers with a broad range of initiation technologies, including azo-based systems such as Perkadox^® AIBN or AMBN, enabling the selection of the most suitable solution based on process requirements, performance targets, and operational preferences.

As part of Nouryon’s broad initiator toolbox, Laurox^® complements other initiation technologies, allowing customers to tailor solutions to specific process conditions, resin systems, and end-use performance requirements.

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.