Cardolite NX-202X Series

Cardolite products are based on cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), a natural, non-food chain, and annually renewable biomaterial. CNSL is a reddish-brown viscous liquid extracted from a soft honeycomb structure inside the cashew nutshell.

This nutshell liquid contains mainly anacardic acid and a smaller amount of cardol and its methyl derivatives. CNSL can be decarboxylated and distilled to yield high purity cardanol, a highly desirable alkylphenolic compound in the chemical industry. The distillation residue can be used to produce resilient friction particles and binders for the automotive brake lining industry.

Cardolite’s proprietary technology allows for the production of a wide range of cardanol grades with different purities and colors. Recently developed Ultra LITE technology allows for color Gardner 1 cardanols with good stability over time.

NX-202X Series

Cardanol is used as a primary building block for Cardolite’s epoxy curing agents, diluents and modifiers, and polyol and diol resins. This natural alkylphenolic material has an aromatic ring that provides a strong chemical and thermal resistant backbone while the hydroxyl group gives strong adhesion and good reactivity for fast and low temperature cure. A long aliphatic side chain provides excellent water and moisture resistance, good flexibility, low viscosity, extended pot life, and excellent corrosion protection. Our cardanol product line, the NX-202x Series, has earned the USDA Certified Bio-based Product label.

With the increased desire in the chemical industry to replace petroleum-based materials and move away from toxic substances, cardanol end-uses continue to expand as a diluent and intermediate for various derivatives and applications.

Specialty cardanol grade, NX-2026, showed favorable results compared to petro-based counterpart in a recent life cycle analysis (LCA) conducted by the nova-Institut in Germany. LCA is a process to evaluate and quantify the environmental burdens associated with a product, process, or activity by identifying and quantifying energy and materials used and wastes released to the environment during their life cycle.

A cradle-to-gate scenario (cultivation of cashew trees to the factory gate) showed that the use of NX-2026 instead of nonyl phenol significantly reduces Global Warming Potential due to CO2 uptake by cashew trees. NX-2026 also showed lower abiotic depletion potential of fossil fuels than nonyl phenol.

Hall Technologies, Inc. is a specialty chemical distributor based out of St. Louis, Missouri. Our chemists provide exceptional technical service to our customers and supplier partners. Our team serves the Midwest, Upper Midwest, Ohio Valley, South, and Southeast. We supply answers to our customers’ technical and product needs. Want to know more about Cardolite’s NX-202X series? Contact us today!