The recent escalation of the conflict in the Middle East is causing massive disruptions to oil and gas supply chains. In particular, the supply of oil and gas is coming under increasing pressure, with direct and significant consequences for the petrochemical industry. This is a development with wide-ranging consequences. As a result, prices for solvents such as isopropanol (IPA) and ethanol are set to rise significantly. Emil Otto is responding to this development by expanding its portfolio of drying-optimized, water-based fluxes as an alternative to alcohol-based products.
“For the electronics manufacturing industry, the changes in the raw materials markets mean rising costs. This is due to IPA and ethanol being key components of alcohol-based fluxes and thus directly affected by the current market disruptions,” explains Markus Geßner, authorized signatory and head of marketing at Emil Otto GmbH, adding: “We expect a significant and sustained increase in solvent prices in the coming weeks and months. The situation is already reminiscent of the shortages and price spikes during the COVID-19 crisis.”
IPA, a derivative of petroleum refining, as well as synthetic ethanol derived from ethylene, are directly subject to price fluctuations in the energy and raw materials markets. At the same time, global production is increasingly concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region. Countries such as China, India, and Indonesia give priority to their domestic markets in times of crisis. This additional shortage on the world market has already occurred, resulting in massive price increases and a decline in the availability of alcohol-based fluxes.
Emil Otto is responding to this trend with a targeted product campaign in the field of water-based fluxes, thereby offering a clear technological alternative to reliance on solvents.
Emil Otto’s extensive portfolio of water-based fluxes already includes the EO-G-006 series, a drying-optimized flux. With the EO-G-011 and EO-G-012 fluxes, Emil Otto GmbH has developed additional high-performance, water-based product families that are specifically designed for demanding applications in modern electronics manufacturing and can almost completely and equivalently replace alcohol-based fluxes. “Our water-based systems have been proven to deliver the same process results as traditional alcohol-based fluxes, while at the same time being significantly less dependent on critical raw materials,” emphasizes Geßner.
The EO-G-011 and -012 flux series are based on formulations containing organic, halogen-free, and resin-free activators that are optimally tailored for thermal soldering processes. The drying-optimized fluxes, which are available with a solid content of 2.5 to 7.0% depending on the version, were specifically developed for use with lead-free and lead-containing soldering systems and ensure reliable wetting and stable soldering processes.
“The new water-based fluxes are characterized by their high process effectiveness and reliability,” Geßner continues. The fluxes act as efficient carriers for the activators they contain and enable uniform wetting of the PCB. This allows oxide layers on metallic surfaces to be activated quickly and precisely. Especially for complex assemblies and fine structures, this leads to stable and reproducible soldering processes. The fluxes in the EO-G-012 series are specifically designed for low preheating temperatures and low-temperature processes, while the fluxes in the EO-G-011 series offer higher temperature resistance and perform particularly well in the upper temperature range. Another key advantage is the short drying times of the EO-G-011 and EO-G-012 fluxes. During the soldering process, the fluxes evaporate quickly and leave no residue on the assembly.
In light of the escalating energy and raw materials crisis, moving away from alcohol-based fluxes is increasingly becoming a strategic necessity. “Electronics manufacturers that switch to water-based or hybrid systems today are securing their future not only technologically but also economically. They largely decouple themselves from the extremely volatile solvent markets without compromising on process quality,” says Geßner. With the combination of EO-G-006, EO-G-011, and EO-G-012, Emil Otto already offers a portfolio that can reliably replace alcohol-based fluxes in virtually all applications.
About Emil Otto
Since 1901 “Emil Otto” stands for top quality. As owner-managed company, Emil Otto is committed to the development and manufacturing of high-quality fluxing agents. In particular the fluxing agents for electronics production, strip tinning, cooler construction as well as for galvanizing are used by market leaders at home and abroad.
Over the years, reliable products and a high level of customer care have become the signature. The manufacturing takes place in accordance with the latest standards, the quality- and environmental management system has been certified for many years. Emil Otto responds with high flexibility to customer requests. Special products or product adaptations are developed and implemented in collaboration with system manufacturers and institutes.
More information: www.emilotto.de/en
