EPs are high molecular weight molecules dispersed in water, which can be sold in water or in solid form. End use applications of EPs can vary widely based on the monomers used to produce the polymer. EPs have been widely used for over 50 years. In North America, billions of pounds of emulsion polymers are consumed to produce important industrial and consumer products.

Major Uses of EPs include:

• Paints and Coatings (27%)
• Paper and Board (23%)
• Adhesives (22%)
• Carpet Backing (11%)
• Other (18%)
  • Textiles
  • Packaging
  • Construction

Major Product Classes of EPs include:

• Styrene-Butadiene Latex (32%)
• Acrylics (27%)
• Vinyl Acrylics (15%)
• Vinyl Acetate Polymers (14%)
• Ethylene Vinyl Acetates (7%)
• Other (5%)

Reference: Urban, D., & Takamura, K. (Eds.). (2002). Polymer Dispersions and Their Industrial Applications. Europe: Wiley.