Please share some background on yourself and your company

I have spent 37 years in the PVC resin industry, primarily working with dispersion resins used to produce plastisol, or liquid PVC compounds. During this time, my job functions were mainly focused on Technical Service, but also included roles in Sales and Marketing.

While Technical Service involves product recommendations, it also encompasses how to successfully use the recommended products, which includes formulating, mixing, and processing the plastisol into a final product.

After retiring, I founded Purtell Vinyl Consulting, LLC, which has allowed me to remain active in my area of expertise on a part-time basis. Although my main focus is on plastisol projects, which involve formulation and processing, client projects have extended beyond this area into the processing of other polymers and market studies.

What are your main areas of interest?

My target client base is within the plastisol market, a niche area of the larger PVC industry. From a resin perspective, the plastisol sector accounts for only about 5% of the total PVC resin produced. Most companies in this market are smaller and may have limited technical resources and experience.

For those with limited resources, an outside consultant can provide a fresh perspective and expertise in plastisol formulation and processing. Unlike full-time employees, consultants offer clients the flexibility to manage and minimize employee and benefit costs. 

Have the challenges that clients face changed since you began consulting?

In short, “No.” 

Since plastisols are flexible liquid PVC compounds, unlike suspension resin-based flexible compounds (pellets, cubes, powders), they pose a unique challenge. Formulators and processors must consider liquid rheology. Companies in this segment of the PVC market tend to be smaller, and like any other business, face similar challenges. Unfortunately, their technical personnel may be limited in number, and their training and experience with plastisols may not be extensive.

As PVC is a mature polymer, I believe the number of technically trained college graduates entering the market does not match the number of experienced professionals retiring or leaving the industry, taking with them years of knowledge. Given the small size of the plastisol segment, this potential drain of expertise could be concerning. 

What are you most looking forward to from the expo?

Attending expos and conferences allows industry professionals to network with others in the field. For me, networking provides the opportunity to meet prospective clients and connect with individuals who may recommend my services to companies in need of assistance.

Ralph Purtell will be speaking on Day 1 at the Compounding World Expo Theater.