Process oils are used in a wide variety of applications, including extender oils which soften TPEs (thermoplastic elastomers) and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubbers, which make up many of the products consumers use every day.
For businesses that require oils like these in their products, finding the right process oil supplier is one of the best ways to ensure quality, avoid logistical headaches, and even improve your bottom line.
But where do you start? Knowing the right details to look for is the first step towards choosing the process oil supplier that’s the best fit for your company.
Here are some of the most important criteria to look for in any supplier.
1. Product Quality Assurance
First and foremost, determine whether you can rely on consistent product quality from your process oil supplier.
For most applications, your process oils should have the following characteristics:
- Stability,
- Low-volatility,
- Odorless, and
- Excellent compatibility to prevent blooming
It’s important to work with suppliers who provide ingredients that meet necessary quality standards consistently.
How can you ensure consistent product quality from a supplier? One way is to look into what kind of processes they use, and what certifications they have.
For example, a widely recognized indication that a business is devoted to quality and consistency is a quality management system, such as the SQF (Safe Quality Food) standard, which is inspired by the ISO 9001 system.
Protocols like these, with verified compliance by third-party auditors, demonstrate a consistent commitment to quality and certify that meticulous care is applied to each step of the production process.
Other certifications, like compliance with REACH regulations in the EU, also guarantee that the product is free of contaminants and safe for use in your application.
2. Supply Security
Interruptions like political upheaval and natural disasters, and the market fluctuations they cause, are nearly impossible to predict, but they’re not impossible to prepare for.
A good process oil supplier is prepared for these kinds of eventualities and will keep you supplied despite pressures outside of your control.
They can do this by maintaining redundant supply points so that when customers get cut off from their normal source, they can still receive their shipments from other nodes in the supply structure.
This requires a dedicated and extensive network of transportation, including barges, railcars, and trucks, that can adapt quickly to changes in the market.
Some process oil suppliers will also keep deep inventories so that they can continue reliably providing their products even when supply decreases or demand jumps unexpectedly.
For a supplier, an investment in inventory is an investment in consistency. Working with suppliers that have secure and redundant supply chains helps keep your day-to-day operations running smoothly by minimizing the risk of interruptions in your production process.
3. Product Application Knowledge
The diversity of process oil applications means there is a wide variety of specifications that can be useful for different businesses.
Fine-tuning qualities like solvency, viscosity, flash-point, and pour-point can make all the difference in the quality of your finished product.
The best process oil suppliers don’t only get you your order on time, they also use their expertise to match each customer with the oil that’s best for their application, sometimes even developing new products to meet customers’ needs.
Your process oil supplier should have a dedicated team of experts who understand all the chemical nuances of their products, and who can speak your language when you need to communicate to them about product specifications.
Using Signal Fluid Solutions as Your Process Oil Supplier
If you’re looking for a process oil supplier that combines all these benefits and more, consider working with Signal Fluid Solutions.
Known for our consistent product quality, we pay attention to every detail of the production process to guarantee a consistently exceptional and safe product.
Our supply points across the United States, and in Antwerp, Belgium, as well as our deep inventories, help us maintain supply security for our customers, often when other suppliers falter.
Also, our team has the technical experience and know-how to work with your engineers and match the right oil to your final product.
For more information about making Signal Fluid Solutions can help your business as a process oil supplier, reach out to us today.
