Arkema Product Catalog: A Field Guide for Emergency Buyers and Formula Designers

If you’ve ever had to source a specialty resin or a specific grade of acrylic under a tight deadline, you know that a product catalog isn’t just a list. It’s a map. And sometimes, you need someone who’s been lost on that map a few times to show you the shortcuts.

This guide is for the folks who don’t have time to read a 50-page sustainability report right now. You need to know if Arkema makes a replacement for #5 PP, or what the logo on the bag actually means for your application. Let’s get into it.

What exactly is in the Arkema product catalog?

Honestly? A lot. The catalog spans high-performance resins (acrylics, polyamides, fluoropolymers), EVA copolymers, and a massive line of coating solutions. But the two buckets you’ll probably deal with most are structural adhesives and specialty polymers for processing.

Think of it less as a single catalog and more as a collection of sub-libraries. You have the Sartomer range for UV/EB curing, the Kynar fluoropolymers for chemical resistance, and the Pebax elastomers for flexibility needs. Knowing which library to open first cuts your search time in half.

Why do I keep seeing the Arkema logo on plastic bags that look like ‘painters plastic’?

This one trips people up all the time. The simple answer: Arkema supplies the resin pellets, not the finished bag. If you see the Arkema logo on a roll of heavy-duty sheeting, it probably means the manufacturer used an Arkema-grade polymer (like a specific metallocene PE or an EVOH barrier layer).

In my role coordinating materials for industrial packaging, I’ve handled three orders where a client showed me a picture of a bag asking if it was the same as the bulk resin we quoted. It almost never is. The logo on the bag is a component claim, not a product ID. You need to check the technical data sheet (TDS) for the specific grade number, not just the brand logo.

I need a replacement for #5 PP. Does Arkema have a direct substitute?

Not a direct drop-in, no. #5 PP (polypropylene) is a commodity thermoplastic. Arkema’s specialty is replacing that commodity with something that performs better—or fixing the problems PP creates.

Here’s a common scenario: A client needs a material for a medical device tray. They spec #5 PP for cost. But the tray cracks during sterilization. That’s when we look at Arkema’s Rilsan polyamide 11. It’s bio-based, tougher, and handles gamma sterilization way better than standard PP. Is it more expensive? Yes. Does it work without a six-month redesign? Often, yes.

If you need to match the exact processing window of #5 PP? You’re probably looking at a different supplier. If you need to solve a problem that PP causes (like poor chemical resistance or stress cracking), Arkema usually has a solution.

How do I decode the Arkema product catalog numbers for a rush order?

I’ll be honest: the naming conventions aren't always intuitive. But there is a pattern.

Most resins follow a [Family]-[Chemistry]-[Viscosity/Modifier] logic.

• Example: Rilsan PA11 BESNO TL
  Rilsan = family (polyamide 11)
  PA11 = chemistry
  BESNO = specific grade for extrusion
  TL = thermal stabilizer package

If you are staring at a 10-digit code and your production line is down, don’t try to guess. Call the technical rep. In March 2024, I had a client who ordered 'Kynar 720' thinking it was a standard grade. It was a development grade with different melt flow. We caught it during the pre-ship review. Save yourself the headache: verification beats assumption.

Is the sustainability data in the catalog real or just marketing?

Based on my experience sourcing materials for clients with strict ESG mandates, I’d say it’s more real than 90% of competitors. The key is knowing how to read it.

Arkema publishes sustainability reports with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data for their bio-based lines (like the Rilsan PA11 derived from castor beans). But here is the subtlety I learned after three years of procurement: The 'renewable content' percentage is often calculated by mass balance.

This means the facility uses bio-feedstock, but the specific bag you buy might not physically contain 100% bio-carbon. The industry standard allows this. If your customer requires a physical bio-content claim (like USDA Certified Biobased), you need to request the specific grade that carries that certification, not just the generic catalog listing. The difference is a two-week delay if you don't ask upfront.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when searching the Arkema catalog?

The rookie mistake? Searching by end-use (like 'painters plastic') instead of by property requirement.

In my first year sourcing adhesives, I assumed 'coating resin' meant all resins were for paint. I wasted three days. The correct approach is to filter by:

1. Processing method (Injection molding? Extrusion? Coating?)
2. Key property (UV resistance? Low odor? High flexibility?)
3. Regulatory status (Food contact? Medical grade?)

Once you do that, the 300+ products shrink to 5. Then you just pick the one with the best lead time. 5 minutes of verification beats 5 days of correction.

Can I get Arkema samples without a company purchase order?

Yes—but it depends on volume. For a one-gram lab sample of a standard acrylic? Usually no issue. For a five-pound bag of a specialty fluoropolymer to run a production trial? You’ll need a sales contact and a signed NDA.

I tested this limit last quarter. We needed 10kg of a specific EVA grade for a prototype. Normal process was a 6-week lead. Our supplier didn't have stock. I found the grade in the Arkema catalog. We called the distributor, shared the part number, and had a sample in 4 days by paying $200 in express freight. The alternative was flying a team to a trade show to beg for a sample. The catalog number is your golden ticket. Use it.

Final thought

The Arkema catalog is a powerful tool, but it’s not a self-service machine. It’s a conversation starter. Treat the catalog as your cheat sheet for talking to the engineers. If you go in knowing your processing method and critical failure point, you’ll get the right material every time. Simple.