What is causing the Teflon Products and PVDF long lead times

Within the last year, the market has experienced more challenges than I have come across in my three decades experience. In the past I have seen sharp price increases, and I have seen several shortages, and delivery problems because of resin allocations from plastic resin vendors. This is actually the very first occasion I have seen all these issues at the same time.

PTFE (TFE) and Kynar are both on allocation.

The two of these resins are in short supply. The  PTFE Sheet product PTFE (TFE) as well as Kynar-PVDF  manufacturing requires a mineral called Fluorspar which is mined in Mongolia and China. The world demand for this mineral has grown significantly, and also the supply has tightened. PTFE materials have high heat resistance, excellent chemical resistance and extremely low co-efficient of friction (slippery) and is utilized throughout a good deal of purposes from non-stick fry pans to ptfe tape for home use. This particular mineral is actually the essential raw materials in the production of fluoropolymers, fluorolubricants and several refrigerants.This rise in demand coupled with general shortage of raw materials is mainly responsible for a dramatic price increase (almost double in the last year), shortages, and we expect these two factors to keep at it in the near future.

mechanical plastic