Replacing 141b in Mann Release Agents

A Significant Change For Most
Release Agent Formulations

A solvent known as “141b”, which is present in most release agent formulas currently on the market (both aerosol and non-aerosol), will no longer be available after current supplies are depleted. The remaining supply translates to 3 - 4 months worth of inventory.

141b has been a popular solvent for industrial and aerosol applications due to its favorable performance and relatively low cost. It is used in vast quantities to make foam insulation that goes into buildings, appliances, cars, furniture, etc. However, in accordance with more strict atmospheric initiatives outlined in the Montreal Protocol, dichlorofluoroethane (141b) cannot be manufactured or imported into the United States after January 1, 2003.

What does 141b do for a release agent? In a release agent formulation, 141b is called the “carrier” solvent. It uniformly delivers the release formulation to a mold surface and then quickly evaporates, leaving only the release agent on the surface to perform as it should. 141b has no affect on how a release agent performs.

Finding A Replacement for 141b: Rumors had circulated for over a year regarding the possibility of 141b becoming unavailable. Its suppliers of the pending change officially informed Mann Formulated Products in September. We have been working ever since to find a suitable replacement and have evaluated many candidates.

Ease Release Aerosols - We believe we are close to a replacement for 141b in aerosols that will perform the same. New aerosols will have a net weight of 12 oz. vs. the current 14 oz. for all Ease Release products. The volume of material contained in a can will be the same. This is due to the new carrier solvent having a lower density.

Bulk or Liquid Release Agents - the easiest and least expensive alternative would be a flammable solvent. Product wise, the cost will be less than your current cost (offsetting higher shipping costs). However, flammable products are a hazard and more expensive to ship. In addition, many facilities are not able to store and/or use flammable products. Non-flammable alternatives will perform about the same as 141b, but could be at least 20% higher.

Bottom Line On A Price Increase - For aerosols, a price increase is unavoidable because no substitute would be as inexpensive as 141b. We are still working with our suppliers to source the least expensive 141b alternative that we can. Other release agent manufacturers that have already made the change have raised prices 15% - 20% to account for the more expensive solvent.

For bulk or liquid release agents, substituting 141b with a flammable solvent will result in a lower price for that product, but shipping costs will be higher. Non-flammable alternatives will perform about the same as 141b, but could cost at least 20% higher.

Timing - When Will The Change Take Place? We have secured a stock of 141b that translates to approximately a 3-month supply. The new solvent system will be available after May 1, 2003, and we will get definitive pricing information to you as far in advance of that date as we can.

Please call us with your questions, and we will do our best to answer. As always, we appreciate your business and your patience during this transition. If you would like to read more about 141b, you can visit:

www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/hcfc141b.html

Kindest regards,

Mann Formulated Products