Applications of Sumitomo Chemical Sumitate KE-11 EVA in Industrial Manufacturing

Our ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, Sumitate KE-11, serves essential roles throughout several downstream industrial sectors requiring consistent quality, reliable mechanical properties, and strict processing control. The following scenarios illustrate the most prominent and established application areas where customers integrate KE-11 into their operations for proven results.

1. Photovoltaic (PV) Module Encapsulation

Demand for high-performance encapsulation materials in photovoltaic module manufacturing remains strong, as manufacturers require reliable retention of cell efficiency and long-term weatherability. Sumitate KE-11 provides the desired adhesion, cross-linking uniformity, and light transmittance needed for the solar industry, while also aligning with global PV safety and performance criteria. EVA pellets get melted, compounded with antioxidants and crosslinkers, and then laminated around solar cells before module curing to protect the active layers. Usage rates hinge upon cell architecture, module thickness, and the chosen lamination method.

Industry compliance standards

• IEC 61215 (Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial PV Modules – Design Qualification and Type Approval)
• UL 1703 (Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels)
• TUV Rheinland PQP (Product Qualification Program)
• RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)

Typical usage ratio

• 28%–35% of total module weight per square meter, adjusted based on required encapsulant layer thickness (typically 400–550 microns per side)

Downstream process integration

• EVA compounded with curing agents, extruded into sheets, laminated onto photovoltaic cells, then cross-linked in a vacuum lamination oven at 140–155°C

Final product types

• Crystalline silicon PV panels
• Thin-film solar modules
• BIPV glass laminates

2. Foamed Shoe Soles for Footwear Manufacturing

Shoe manufacturers value EVA grades that provide fine cell structure, durable cushioning, and resilience for sports and casual footwear. KE-11 is melt-blended with blowing agents and crosslinkers during injection or compression molding to create lightweight, flexible foamed midsoles. Its consistent melt flow and cleanliness ensure reproducible performance and smooth integration in large-scale operations demanding strict quality control.

Industry compliance standards

• GB/T 15107-2013 (China National Standards for Footwear — General Technical Requirements)
• ISO 20871:2018 (Footwear — Test methods for outsoles — Abrasion resistance)
• REACH (EC) No. 1907/2006 (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals)

Typical usage ratio

• 55%–80% of total sole composition, modified depending on the desired foam density, flexibility, and specific athletic requirements

Downstream process integration

• EVA pellets blended with foaming, coloring, and crosslinking agents, then injected or compression-molded into sole shapes and cured to achieve the targeted expansion

Final product types

• Running shoe midsoles
• Sandals and slippers
• Children’s and occupational footwear

3. Hot Melt Adhesives (HMA) for Packaging & Bookbinding

Packaging and print finishing industries incorporate this EVA copolymer as a base resin for hot melt adhesives, leveraging its balanced flexibility, fast setting, and compatibility with tackifiers. Formulators use it to achieve bonds on cardboard, coated papers, and plastics. The material enters compounding and extrusion lines, where precise formulation adjustments help HMA users balance open time, tack, and cost-performance ratios to match customer-specific machinery speeds and substrate types.

Industry compliance standards

• FDA 21 CFR 175.105 (Adhesives for Indirect Food Contact)
• EN 923:2015+A1 (Adhesives — Terminology)
• Emissions limits: Blue Angel (DE-UZ 205) or Nordic Swan (where required for paper-product adhesives)

Typical usage ratio

• 40%–65% of base polymer content in HMAs, optimized in relation to required bond strength, flow properties, and thermal stability

Downstream process integration

• Compounded with tackifiers, waxes, and stabilizers in mixers then pelletized; end-users remelt adhesive blends in application equipment for carton sealing, spine gluing, or case forming

Final product types

• Case and carton closing adhesives
• Book and notebook spine glues
• Product assembly adhesives for consumer goods packaging

4. Wire and Cable Insulation Compounds

The electrical wire and cable sector requires polymer insulation that ensures reliable dielectric strength, flexibility, and jacket adhesion under continuous use. KE-11’s consistent vinyl acetate content and low gel count prove advantageous in extrusion compounding with flame retardants and stabilizers, helping downstream users meet industry fire safety and electrical performance tests while reducing scrap and downtime during cable coating operations.

Industry compliance standards

• UL 62/UL 758 (Flexible Cord and Appliance Wiring Material)
• IEC 60502-1 (Power Cables with Extruded Insulation – up to 1 kV)
• RoHS 2011/65/EU (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical Equipment)
• GB/T 12706.1-2020 (Chinese Standard for Extruded Insulated Power Cables)

Typical usage ratio

• 55%–75% of insulation or sheath formulation, fine-tuned for flame resistance, oil resistance, and flexibility as per the wire grade

Downstream process integration

• EVA melt-blended with fillers, stabilizers, and flame retardants in co-rotating twin screw extruders before extrusion onto copper or aluminum conductors, then cooling and winding for final testing

Final product types

• Low-voltage power cable insulation
• Flexible electrical wire jackets
• Automotive and robotics signal cables

5. Film and Sheet Production for Greenhouse and Packaging

Producers of multilayer blown films utilize KE-11 to achieve demanding clarity, elasticity, and puncture resistance for greenhouse coverings and industrial flexible packaging. In these applications, careful control over melt temperature, film thickness, and copolymer blending enables tailored mechanical and optical properties compliant with agricultural and food contact safety requirements.

Industry compliance standards

• EN 13206:2022 (Plastic films for agricultural applications — Specification for polyethylene greenhouse film)
• FDA 21 CFR 177.1350 (Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers for food contact)
• GB 9685-2016 (Chinese Hygienic Standards for Additives in Food Packaging)

Typical usage ratio

• 10%–35% of total composition in multi-layer structures; higher levels boost flexibility and tear resistance, while lower ratios focus on cost or optical clarity

Downstream process integration

• EVA blended with LDPE or LLDPE in gravimetric feeders, then co-extruded via blown film lines into mono- or multilayer films, slit and wound for downstream conversion

Final product types

• Greenhouse covering films
• Heat-sealable packaging films
• Stretch wrap and freezer food bags