SABIC To debut non-fluorinated Siltem™ resin blends with enhanced performance at IWCS 2025

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, will feature at the 2025 IWCS Cable & Connectivity Industry Forum, in Booth #230, three new families of non-fluorinated SILTEM™ resin blends. These novel materials can potentially replace fluoropolymers such as ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) in wire & cable applications used in the automotive, industrial, and oil & gas industries. The SABIC materials help to address regulatory restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a broad category that includes fluoropolymers.

In addition to being formulated without fluorine, the new blends build on the properties of SILTEM™ polyetherimide/siloxane (PEI-Si) copolymer resin to deliver easier processing and enhanced performance, such as better thermal and chemical resistance. The new SILTEM resin blends may also be candidates for strain reliefs, data cables, heat tracing cables and automotive under-hood wiring. Beyond wire & cable, they have potential for use in seals, gaskets and heat-shrink tubes, for which the material can be crosslinked to meet “shape memory” requirements. They are available for sampling.

At IWCS, Sean Culligan, senior manager, ULTEM™ and NORYL™ Resins, will present on “Polyetherimide (PEI)-Siloxane Copolymers as an Alternative to Fluoropolymers” during Session 9 of the Technical Symposium, which will run from 8:30 to 11:50 a.m. EDT on Oct. 30.

“Many wire & cable customers are looking for alternatives to fluoropolymers that address regulatory concerns and strict performance requirements.” said Sergi Monros, vice president, SABIC Polymers, Specialties BU. “Our new SILTEM resin blends address growing demands for materials that avoid fluorine while raising the bar on performance and processing.”

The IWCS 2025 event will take place in Pittsburgh, Penn., Oct. 27-30.