paramelt products
High performance anti-ozone waxes for reliable protection.
Anti-ozone waxes for tire & rubber
As the global market leader, Paramelt offers a comprehensive range of anti-ozone waxes for an array of tire & rubber application requirements.Okerin™ Akcera™ and Protektor™ are anti-ozone waxes that are carefully formulated with selected blends of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes.
Okerin™ anti-ozone wax for tires
The Okerin brand, originally established by Astor in the UK and further developed by Paramelt, has found extensive global application amongst all of the major international tire manufacturers.
Protektor™ and Akcera™ anti-ozone wax for technical rubber
In technical applications such as belts, hoses, gaskets and mats and shoes soles Akcera™ and Protektor™ brands have been established to meet the specific demands of these technical products.
Supplier of choice
Okerin™ Akcera™ and Protektor™ anti-ozone waxes have been carefully formulated with a selected blend of highly efficient mineral and synthetic waxes to provide optimal protection in a range of application scenarios.
Paramelt produces anti-ozone waxes in Europe (the Netherlands) and Asia (China), allowing global manufacturers with diverse regional sites the possibility of sourcing anti-ozone wax with equivalent profiles from the most advantageous location to ensure continuity of supply and optimized operational logistics.
Atmospheric ozone attacks the double bonds of unprotected rubber rapidly, forming an unstable structure known as molozonide. This is the first destructive step because a chain has been broken. This localized surface attack makes ozone degradation visible as surface cracks perpendicular to the direction of stress.
When articles are exposed to tensile strain greater than a threshold value during exposure, cracks grow continuously at a constant rate. The rate of ozone degradation is proportional to the ozone concentration and accelerated by rise in temperature.
Incorporated during rubber compounding, blended waxes, carefully formulated with paraffin and microcrystalline waxes of the right molecular weight distribution, will migrate to the surface of the rubber article after vulcanization to form a thin protective film which acts as a barrier for optimum ozone protection.
This protective film of anti-ozone wax:
- is thin, non-crystalline and reasonably flexible
- assists the transport of chemical agents (anti-ozonants) from inside of the rubber articles to the surface
- prevents water soluble rubber chemicals (in predominantly stressed articles) from being washed out
For any given wax in a specific rubber compound, there is a marked dependence on migration rate and generally, a peak migration temperature is found. As a result both temperature and rubber formulation are critical factors affecting wax performance. Therefore, to achieve long-term protection across a given temperature window, it is necessary to build a suitable blend of waxes to provide the required migration at different time and temperature intervals.
It is therefore critical to define the expected operating temperature environment as well as the time scale over which protection is required in order to accurately formulate the required wax package.
Paramelt offers a comprehensive range of Okerin anti-ozone waxes, formulated to provide optimal performance at different operating temperature ranges in a number of different rubber systems. These products are used by a vast majority of global tire manufacturers and are known for their consistent quality and performance.
The standard products cover a number of typical operating environments, such as:
- broad temperature range protection
- high temperature range protection
- low - medium temperature protection
- medium - high temperature protection
- moderate temperature, long service life performance
These products are able to cover the majority of typical tire applications encountered but we have the knowledge required to develop bespoke products for your specific requirements should this be needed.
Atmospheric ozone is able to attack the double-bonds of unprotected rubber compounds by a free-radical mechanism. This reaction occurs quite rapidly and quickly leads to surface breakdown visible as cracks in the structure of the material. One way to protect rubber articles such as tires from perishing in this manner, is to introduce a migratory barrier material into the rubber compound which exudes to the surface of the rubber and forms a protective layer against free-radical degradation. One of the most common additive solutions is the use of hydrocarbon waxes of varying chain length and morphology to provide protection across a range of temperature and time scale requirements.
Protective compounding of rubber involving physical protection of the surface using a wax film is by no means a new concept, with the first patent claiming such protection dating back to 1881. Over the intervening years a lot has been learned about the key factors influencing compatibility and migration rates as well as the development of new wax types and fractions.
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Contact a Specialist
Angeline Tan
Sales Director Asia
anti-ozone wax is in our dna
We have been around for more than 125 years and supported the growth of wax applications into numerous emerging industries. Our Okerin™ brand has provided benchmark performance in the tire & rubber industry from the beginning. Expansion and investment in recent times, such as the acquisition of Honeywell Industrial Waxes (Astor), has continued to underpin the range and allowed for significant growth in both China and across the Asia Pacific region.
Paramelt heritage
Paramelt
Dutch, since 1898
revenue 2023: €263 mln
# employees 2023: 502
owned by Ter Group
Ter Group
German, since 1908
revenue 2023: €910 mln
# employees 2023: 1140
owned by Westphal family
As the leading global wax formulator, we have access to the widest portfolio of source materials. Our knowledgeable people and extensive analytical capabilities, combined with our in-depth application experience, provides the bedrock for tailored and highly efficient anti-ozone waxes. Performance and value are our drivers and custom-made products the norm.
wax specialists (niche player)
# active formulas
~100 rubber waxes
We are specialists, but are always open to complementary opportunities. We have direct decision making and short communication lines, our people throughout the organization take ownership and with a can-do attitude we make it happen. The annual re-investment rate is high and the company’s financial mass can underpin substantial investments.
with an entrepreneurial attitude
Annual re-investment rate
~10%
Technology drives our thinking. We combine long term strategic products and process research with flexible and responsive product development. We are inquisitive and challenge conventions which can result in ‘blue sky investments’. We are recognized by our knowledge leadership in core markets.
driven by technology and innovation
# laboratory requests
> 1000 last year
# new commercial products
~110 last year
Batch-to-batch consistency is an absolute focus for our anti-ozone waxes. Through understanding the molecular requirements of our additives, we are able to source the right profile of feedstocks from many different suppliers to ensure reliable performance in the final application. In the case of critical components, we underpin our commitment to the industry by investing in reserves of key raw materials to ensure continuity of supply.
delivering security and consistency
Top 3 reasons to
recommend Paramelt*)
– reliable supplier
– consistent quality
– value for money
*) Customers survey Europe and USA
Financial stability
D&B rating 1
Certifications
IATF 16949:2009
ISO 9001:2015
From our 8 manufacturing sites we can address regional differences and trends and provide product equivalence with local sourcing. We have our own regional sales and technical staff and have a specialized and knowledgeable distributor network for ‘selected market niches’.
with a global reach and local service
manufacturing sites
Europe : 3
USA : 3
China : 2
tire & rubber customers
in 27 countries
At the core of our performance lies a team of experienced and knowledgeable employees. We build long-term partnerships and are responsive, flexible, committed and loyal.
building on people and partnership
Average employee retention
> 12 years
Paramelt = ‘knowledge & experience’
recognized by > 85% customers
(Customers survey Europe and USA)
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With 8 production facilities delivering in more than 80 countries, we have truly global perspective and local service.