Silicone Supplies: Predicting What Tomorrow Will Be
The car is packed. The trip to the beach is planned. The forecast was for clearing skies, but there’s rain on the windshield and gray skies up ahead. Why can’t they just predict the weather more accurately?
Rainstorms and Supply Chains
When ElastaPro first reported about silicone shortages in our March 2021 newsletter, we’d hoped that silicone rubber supply would stabilize during Q3 2021. As with so many forecasts, however, our prediction missed the mark – and the rain continues.
By now, we’ve all heard reports about how major silicone suppliers have put customers on allocation or become super-selective about taking on new business. There’s news about rising prices and longer lead times, too.
With the way things are looking, this “storm” will probably last until early 2022. So, what’s the latest version of the big picture, and what can we learn from the revised forecast?
What’s Behind the Bad Weather?
For starters, it’s important to understand that the current crisis is global in nature – and rather different than the supply shortage of 2018. Back then, the key factor was a shortage in Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) – the basic building block of silicone products. This was a result of some of these PDMS plants being taken offline due to maintenance or environmental concerns (primarily affecting the Chinese producers of PDMS). What’s changed in 2021 is less of an issue with PDMS and more in terms of people and ancillary products to convert the PDMS into elastomers and other key silicone products we all use. The Major Producers continue to struggle with catching up on their backlogs due to staffing, logistics, or shortages of ancillary and supporting products.
Additionally, one of China’s largest basic suppliers of silicon metal and downstream silicone products is banned from selling into the U.S. and the EU. Even if you don’t buy directly from this company, you possibly use its intermediates in products that you purchase from other suppliers. Again, this is making things tough.
Weathering the Storm with You
ElastaPro continues to work aggressively to assure the continued supply of silicone elastomers and ancillary products to our customers. We’re also doing all we can to reduce the costs in our processes so that we can offset rapidly increasing prices for raw materials.
Although we’ve had to increase our prices, the percentage of these increases has been well below what we are seeing in our raw materials. Moreover, we continue to maintain a two-week lead time on most made-to-order products. We’re also continuing to stock key silicone sheet materials for quick one-day turnarounds.
Look to the Long-Term Forecast
Our commitment to service goes well beyond wanting to provide you, our customer and partner, with the best quality and value in silicone sheeting and silicone compounds. We are also ensuring that we are doing all that we can to maintain a viable supply chain with quick turnaround times to provide the very best service to you.
We’ll get through this together – and sooner than later, we hope. It might not seem like it now, but sometimes storm leave behind rainbows.
Thank you for your continued support.
Molded Silicone Sheets with Quick Deliveries
ElastaPro is ready to supply you with solid silicone sheeting even if you need just a few yards of material. Our molded silicone sheets are made from high-quality ingredients and free from the curving that’s associated with roll stock. We offer quick turnarounds, too.
Molded Silicone Sheets
Check out these specs and let us know what you need:
- Standard sheet size: 36″ x 36″
- Durometer: 30 to 80 (Shore A)
- Thickness: .250″ to 1″
- Formulation: VMQ, PVMQ, or FVMQ
- Specification Grades: FDA, UL, medical, electrically conductive
- Commercial Grades: Available
- Colors: Red, black, gray, or blue
Made in USA Silicone Sheeting
In these uncertain times, ElastaPro has the capabilities and flexibility to provide what you need when you need it. All of our silicone products are Made in the USA by a team that’s committed to bringing you the greatest value and finest customer experience.
Silicone Supply Insights
Everybody’s talking about silicone supply, but elastomers that don’t meet specifications aren’t the right way to meet demand. Don’t let them put your projects at risk.
ElastaPro tests the physical properties for each and every lot of all of our sheet materials. Our in-house testing laboratory can provide you with test results for specifications such as:
- durometer
- tensile strength
- tear strength
- percent elongation
- fluid & heat aging and much more.
Recently, our in-house lab added a third Tensometer and a more sophisticated Shore A Durometer instrument for the most accurate results. ElastaPro also sends samples to third-party accredited laboratories to confirm the results of our own testing.
The benefits don’t end there. All of our silicones are Made in the USA. We also have a large selection of stocked items and can take you from lab batch to large-scale production.
Are you concerned about your silicone supply? Let us know what you need.
Contact us for more information, or to place an order. Follow us on LinkedIn, too.
Silicone Supply Chain Insights
Looking for silicone supply chain insights? Have you ever heard the expression “can’t see the forest for the trees”? It happens when the details of a problem are so intense that it’s hard to look at the situation as a whole. By changing your focus, however, you can see things in a new way.
The silicone shortage is no exception. Buyers are worried about supplies and engineers are excited about new applications. So when I participated in a Silicone 2021 Livestream for Rubber and Plastics News (RPN), both topics (and others) were on the agenda.
Silicone Supply Chain Insights
RPN has made this on-line event available but you’ll need to complete a short form.Listen to the Recording
Medical Grade Silicone Sheeting
Medical grade silicone sheeting is used in personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and other medical devices and equipment. During COVID-19, ElastaPro is working hard to support our first responders and companies that are making PPE. Our safe, clean materials meet rigorous requirements yet are easy to convert and die cut for medical seals and gaskets. Moreover, they are produced from 100% U.S. Sourced silicone rubber.
ElastaPro makes medical grade silicone sheeting in thicknesses from .010″ to .500″ and in widths up to 60″. Choose from USP Class VI silicones in 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 durometer. We are capable of producing medical grade silicone sheets in various forms and can package them in various formats.
Contact us for more information, or to place an order. Follow us on LinkedIn, too.
Metal Detectable Silicone Rubber Sheets
Metal detectable silicone rubber sheets make it easier for food processors to spot contamination caused by silicone seals. Because they are metal-impregnated, these elastomers let manufacturers use in-line metal detection systems to get fast, accurate alerts about the presence of silicone seal fragments in food products.
ElastaPro’s metal detectable silicone rubber sheets meet FDA CFR 21 177.2600 requirements for repeated food contact. These gasket materials come in various colors and are supplied as cured sheeting and uncured compound. Gasket fabrication methods for solid silicone sheeting include die cutting and water jet cutting.
This tasteless, odorless, and FDA compliant silicone is proudly Made in the USA and fabricated with high-quality and certified raw materials. In addition to food processing, applications, metal detectable silicone sheets from ElastaPro can be used in beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Contact us to learn more, or to place an order. Follow us on LinkedIn, too.
General Purpose Silicone Sheets
General purpose grade silicone sheets from ElastaPro have well-known silicone rubber characteristics and come in durometers from 30 to 80 (Shore A). This solid silicone sheeting from ElastaPro can be used in silicone rubber gaskets, rubber silicone rings, or custom silicone parts. Gasket fabrication methods include die cutting and water jet cutting.
General purpose solid silicone sheets from Elasta Pro meet AA-59588 Class 2A/2B, ASTM D2000, and AMS33XX specifications for aerospace and industrial applications. At a time when silicones are in short supply, we invite you to learn more about these materials and how ElastaPro builds long-term business relationships.
Contact us for more information, or to place an order. Follow us on LinkedIn, too.
Flame Retardant Silicone Sheets
Flame retardant silicone sheets from ElastaPro resist the spread of flame and fire. They are used in applications that require a UL 94 V0 solid silicone sheeting. Because these elastomers produce low smoke density, they are used for sealing and insulation in in rail cars, airplane interiors, and with marine transport applications.
Flame retardant silicone sheeting can be fabricated into rubber gaskets through die cutting or water jet cutting. This solid silicone sheeting comes in thicknesses from .010” to .500” and are available in widths up to 60”. ElastaPro’s flame retardant silicone sheets have different hardnesses and come in 60 durometer and 65 durometer (Shore A).
Importantly, this specifications grade material from ElatsaPro has a UL 94 V0 Yellow Card on file with Underwriters Laboratories (UL). It also meets FAR 25.853 flammability requirements for aircraft compartment interiors. FAR 25.853 is a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) test to determine the flammability of materials used in airplane interiors, including both cabin and cargo compartments.
Contact us for more information, or to place an order. Follow us on LinkedIn, too.
Medical Silicone Sheets
Medical grade silicone sheets from ElastaPro are safe, clean, solid materials that meets USP Class VI, European Pharmacopeia, ISO 10993, and FDA CFR 177.2600 specifications. This healthcare silicone sheeting can be used in medical implants that remain in the human body for up to 29 days. Applications for USP Class VI silicones include sanitary or hygienic gaskets for medical devices, enclosure gaskets for medical equipment, and rubber gaskets for medical wearables and diagnostics.
ElastaPro supplies medical silicone sheets in thicknesses from 0.10″ to .500″ and widths up to 60″. Gasket fabrication methods include die cutting and water jet cutting. At a time when silicones are in short supply, it’s important to choose a supplier that delivers on its promises and meets key standards. Plus, all of ElastaPro’s medical silicone sheeting is Made in the USA. FDA grade white silicone and FDA grade translucent silicone is available.
Contact us for more information, or to place an order. Follow us on LinkedIn, too.
Silicone Demand is Rising. Now What?
Silicone demand is rising at a time when major suppliers are warning customers about longer lead times and tightening supply constraints. The causes include an end to COVID-related slowdowns, a shortage of steel, and a rising tide of shipping delays. Whether these delays occur on land because of bad weather or at sea because there aren’t enough personnel in port to receive cargo, silicone buyers are concerned.
During my two decades in the silicone rubber business, I’ve seen many supply chain issues. What we are experiencing in 2021 will pass as well. The factors that are driving today’s supply constraints are different than in 2018, a shortage you may recall. Back then, there wasn’t enough capacity to meet global demand for polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), the basic building block of silicone rubber.
The good news in 2021 (and we’d all like some good news, wouldn’t we?) is that we expect silicone supply to stabilize this year. In fact, we can anticipate some supply chain normalcy beginning in Q3. In the meantime, however, silicone buyers can anticipate longer lead times and potential price increases as major suppliers look to meet a post-COVID rebound in demand.
Here’s some more good news, especially if you remain concerned about silicone demand. Current silicoine demand levels are not, in my opinion, significantly higher than they were before COVID-19 (other than demand for healthcare elastomers). Therefore, the major suppliers are simply playing catch-up rather than trying to add significant capacity. These suppliers do a great job at managing flow, but the current situation is like a long and heavy train. Once stopped, it takes a while for everything to start moving again.
What does this mean for you? Please know that ElastaPro continues to work very closely with our supplier partners to secure raw materials for solid silicone sheeting and silicone compounds. At the same time, we’re doing all we can to control costs. Silicone may be in short supply today, but that won’t last forever. What’s built-to-last, however, are supplier relationships based on trust.
Contact us for more information, or to place an order.
