The escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East is causing considerable disruption to global oil and gas supply chains. As a result, the supply of petrochemical raw materials in particular is coming under increasing pressure. This development has a direct impact on the price development and availability of key solvents such as isopropanol (IPA) and ethanol.
Emil Otto is responding to this development by expanding its drying-optimized, water-based flux portfolio as an alternative to alcohol-based products.
Rising prices and declining availability put pressure on commodity markets
The current market distortions affect alcohol-based fluxes in particular, as their main components are directly linked to the development of the energy and raw materials markets.
Key influencing factors are:
- Expected significant and sustained price increase for IPA and ethanol
- Dependence on oil refining and ethylene-based production
- Increasing concentration of production in the Asia-Pacific region
- Prioritization of national markets by countries such as China, India and Indonesia
„For electronics production, the changes on the raw materials markets mean rising costs. This is because IPA and ethanol are key components of alcohol-based fluxes and are therefore directly affected by the current market distortions. We expect a significant and sustained increase in solvent prices in the coming weeks and months. The situation is already reminiscent of the bottlenecks and price spikes during the coronavirus crisis.“
Product offensive at Emil Otto. Focus on water-based fluxes
IPA, a derivative from crude oil refining, and synthetic ethanol, which is obtained from ethylene, are directly exposed to price fluctuations on the energy and commodity markets. At the same time, global production is increasingly concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region. Countries such as China, India and Indonesia prioritize their domestic markets in the event of a crisis. This additional shortage on the global market has already occurred, with the result that prices are rising massively, including a decline in the availability of alcohol-based fluxes.
Emil Otto is responding to this development with a targeted product offensive in the field of water-based fluxes, thus setting a clear technological counterpoint to the dependence on solvents.
The following product lines are already available:
- EO-G-006: Drying-optimized water-based flux
- EO-G-011: High-performance water-based flux series for higher temperature ranges
- EO-G-012: Specially developed water-based flux series for low-temp processes and low preheating temperatures
„Our water-based systems have been proven to deliver the same process results as classic alcohol-based fluxes, while at the same time being significantly less dependent on critical raw materials.“
Technical properties. High process efficiency and reliability
The flux series EO-G-011 and -012 are based on formulations with organic, halogen-free and resin-free activators that are optimally adapted to thermal soldering processes. The drying-optimized fluxes, which are available with a solids 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 main technical features are
- Solids content between 2.5 % and 7.0 %, depending on the variant
- Can be used in lead-free and leaded soldering systems
- Reliable wetting and activation of oxide layers
- Even distribution on printed circuit boards
- Fast drying without residue
The fluxes act as efficient carriers for the activators they contain and enable uniform wetting on the circuit board. As a result, oxide layers on metallic surfaces are activated quickly and in a targeted manner. This leads to stable and reproducible soldering processes, especially for demanding assemblies and fine structures.
EO-G-012C
Wave and selective soldering
No Clean-Flux, water-based
Di-carboxylic acid complex, halogen-free, resin-free (WEEE/RoHS-compliant)
Type ISO-9454: 2131 / DIN EN 61190-1-1 (according to J-STD004): L0 (IPC: ORL0)
EO-G-011C
Wave and selective soldering
No Clean-Flux, water-based
Di-carboxylic acid complex, VOC-free, halogen-free, resin-free (WEEE/RoHS-compliant)
Type ISO-9454: 2131 / DIN EN 61190-1-1 (according to J-STD004): L0 (IPC: ORL0)
The fluxes in the EO-G-012 series are specially designed for low preheating temperatures and low-temperature processes, while the fluxes in the EO-G-011 series have a higher temperature resistance and are particularly robust in the upper temperature range. Another decisive advantage lies in the short drying times of the EO-G-011 and EO-G-012 fluxes. The fluxes evaporate quickly during the soldering process and leave no residue on the assembly.
Strategic relevance. Independence from volatile markets
In view of the worsening energy and raw materials crisis, moving away from alcohol-based fluxes is increasingly becoming a strategic necessity.
„Electronics manufacturers who switch to water-based or hybrid systems today are not only securing themselves technologically, but also economically. They are largely decoupling themselves from the extremely volatile solvent markets without compromising on process quality.“
The advantages at a glance:
- Reduced dependence on volatile solvent markets
- More stable cost structures despite global uncertainties
- Consistently high process quality
- Future-proof orientation of production
With the flux series EO-G-006, EO-G-011 and EO-G-012, Emil Otto offers a comprehensive portfolio that can reliably replace alcohol-based systems in almost all applications and at the same time responds to the current challenges of the markets.
Find out more about our product portfolio of water-based fluxes: