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Partnership to introduce semi-conductive compounds to the Americas market

Orbia Polymer Solutions (Alphagary), a provider of polymer solutions for wire and cable applications, in partnership with Shakun Polymers, is introducing a new series of semi-conductive compounds to the wire and cable marketplace in the Americas, under the branda name Escontek.

The new compounds are claimed to offer performance and reliability, and are tailored specifically to meet the unique requirements — both physical and electrical — of the Americas. Escontek semi-conductive compounds were developed by Shakun Polymers, and Orbia Alphagary's extensive network and presence in both North and South America will be used to allow the materials to become readily available to customers in the region.

The partnership between Shakun Polymers and Orbia Alphagary exemplifies a shared vision of driving innovation and delivering value within the wire and cable industry, said Suren Shah, technical sales consultant for Orbia Alphagary. With years of expertise formulating and manufacturing semi-conductive materials, Shakun brings invaluable knowledge to the table which enables us to offer proven and verified technology to our customers in the Americas.

Semiconductive materials are essential components in medium- and high-voltage power cable applications, acting as a boundary layer to ensure efficient transmission of electrical power. Shakun Polymers, in partnership with Orbia Alphagary, is investing significant capital to automate production of Escontek. The upgrades ensure that raw materials are accurately weighed and thoroughly dispersed during the mixing process, providing clean and smooth extrusion with minimal residue and ionic impurities.

The Escontek compounds have good scorch resistance, allowing long run-times without degradation, and the materials cross-link quickly in continuous vulcanization (CV) tubes.

Santiago Urbina, VP commercial at Orbia Alphagary, commented, By merging Shakun Polymers' experience with Orbia Alphagary's established presence in the North and South America wire and cable sector, we are poised to deliver technology that is not only proven but also deeply aligned with today's requirements. This underscores our collaboration with the Shakun team and our dedication to being a solutions provider for our customers.