The modern microsphere industry is helping to improve the ancient technology of preserving wine in bottles. By using AkzoNobel’s branded polymer microsphere Expancel, synthetic corks are able to make a seal that in many ways is superior to natural cork.
As the Expancel website boasts, “Synthetic cork can be a good solution in many applications. In theory, synthetic cork should avoid many of the inconsistencies associated with natural cork. But in practice, it’s not that simple. The foaming process is often the cause when there are issues. The key to the real-world performance of synthetic cork is the foaming process. Expancel [microspheres] in the mix ensures highly controlled foaming, giving very even and consistent results.”
Dominique Tourniex, CEO at Diam, a global leader in cork manufacturing, said, “We are purchasing little, tiny microspheres which expand during the process of mouldng the cork and so improve the performance of the closure.”
Better still, the microspheres help form a watertight seal that does not shrink or absorb moisture. It removes the chances of ‘cork taint’ in the wine, is European regulation 10/2011 compliant, and has recently been US FDA approved.
You can watch the presentation on how microspheres help improve cork manufacturing on YouTube here.
Given that, according to the Wall Street Journal, global wine consumption in 2014 was set at 38.4 billion bottles a year, then there is clearly a good market for cork manufacturers. While traditional wine markets in the US and Europe are currently stable, it is the booming demand for wine in the Far East that has packaging manufacturers whetting their lips. While the market is comparitively small at present, that is expected to change in the coming decade. For example, China alone, “saw a 69% growth in wine consumption from 2009 to 2013 and is forecast to grow by almost 25% from 2014 to 2018.”
With so many thirsty mouths and a desire for western lifestyles, the microsphere market could easily grow as wine consumption also takes off. With demand already growing through pressure from other chemical industry applications, raw material traders are beginning to wonder, “how high can microsphere prices reach, if new suppliers are slow to enter the market?”