Another application of polymer solutions includes the manufacture of fibers by wet or dry spinning or plastic films.
Disadvantages of solution polymerization are decrease of monomer and initiator concentration leading to reduction of reaction rate, lower volume utilization of reactor, additional cost of the process related to solvent recycling, toxicity and other environmental impacts of most of organic solvents.
Polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyacrylamide are obtained by radical polymerization in water solution and used as thickeners, adhesives or flocculants.
Polyethylene (HDPE, LLDPE) - some grades are made by coordination polymerization in high boiling hydrocarbone solvents (above PE solution temperature).
Butyl rubber (IIR) by low temperature cationic copolymerization of isobutylene with isoprene in ethylene or methylchloride solution.