How come there's a TFE and PVDF long lead times

Within the last year, the business has experienced more challenges than I have come across in my 30 years experience. In the past I have seen sharp price increases, and I have witnessed several shortages, and delivery problems due to resin allocations by resin manufacturers. This is definitely the first time I have seen all these issues at one time.

PTFE Sheet (TFE) and Kynar are both on allocation.

The two of these resins are in short supply. The  PTFE Sheet product PTFE (TFE) and also Kynar  manufacturing requires a mineral called Fluorspar that is mined in Mongolia and China. The worldwide interest in this mineral has grown significantly, as well as supply has tightened. PTFE materials have high heat resistance, excellent chemical resistance and extremely low co-efficient of friction (slippery) and is utilised throughout a great deal of purposes from non-stick fry pots and pans to ptfe tape for use at home. This specific mineral is the crucial raw materials in the manufacturing of fluoropolymers, fluorolubricants and a lot of refrigerants.This increase in demand paired with shortage of raw materials is responsible for a dramatic price increase (almost double throughout the last year), shortages, and we expect these two factors to continue in the near future.

American Made Plastic sheet