Coatex Showcases Rheological Additives
With other business units of the Arkema Group, Coatex showcased its rheological additives at the ECS. The design of new rheology additives is driven by the growing trends of the automotive, industrial, furniture, flooring and architectural coatings markets, and construction industries.
Drivers for the company’s latest developments include economical concerns with lower raw material and manufacturing costs, faster and easier application, technical and performance improvements with longer durability, low dirt pick-up, and water resistance.
The new very pseudoplastic PU thickener, Coapur™ XS 83, was especially designed for challenging industrial coatings. And the Coadis™ range of specialty dispersing agents was extended to provide specific properties.
Dow Offers a Variety of New Technologies
Dow Coating Materials
The innovation-themed program from Dow Coating Materials (DCM) was designed to highlight the power of partnerships and persistence to facilitate advances and scientific breakthroughs in the paint and coatings industry. It also showed how cultivating connections across the business and technology spectrums supports inspirational ideas, and helps to achieve a shared path to growth.
DCM offers a comprehensive menu of solutions, ranging from binders to additives, pure acrylics to hybrids. With chemistry ranging from PU-based materials to isocyanate-free options, and silicone-based designs to tailored rheology modifiers, the business is devoted to sourcing the best possible building blocks of raw materials to suit its customers’ hugely varied requirements.
Examples of technology that were on display include:
- Water-based pure acrylic technology for exterior coatings, designed to drive sustainability benefits and bring brightness and durability to formulations, even in tough environments. Highlights included the latest PRIMAL™ ST-410 for wood stains and composite decking, offering an optimized stabilization system for controlled erosion, and two-in-one primer PRIMAL™ PR-45.
- New acrylics for white and clear joinery topcoats, offering excellent color retention and adhesion as well as low water uptake and weathering gloss - even after minimal drying, supporting increased line speeds.
- Formaldehyde abatement technology, FORMASHIELD™, used in the development of the PRIMAL™ SF-208 binder, which removes formaldehyde from indoor air and converts it to harmless water vapor.
- Additives such as the latest rheology modifier ACRYSOL™ RM-3030, an ICI builder that offers formulation flexibility alongside leveling and sag balance designed to deliver a smooth paint film - as well as excellent color acceptance and outstanding surface aesthetics.
- Innovative chemistry for industrial and concrete coatings in the form of MAINCOTE™ acrylic epoxy hybrid technology, created to offer one of the best features of waterborne epoxy dispersions and acrylic/epoxy systems, yet with better UV stability and productivity, thanks to increased pot life and faster return to service.
- New developments driving sustainability and faster drying times in direct-to-metal coatings: MAINCOTE™ HG acrylic waterborne resins offer opportunities to convert to water-based, low-VOC formulations without compromising on corrosion resistance, flow, hardness or chemical resistance.
- Progressive can coating technology with innovative CANVERA™ polyolefin dispersions, created using BLUEWAVE™ Technology, which facilitates the development of ultra-thin, thermoplastic film coatings that can be spray-applied from waterborne formulations to the inside of cans.
- The latest developments in FASTRACK™ waterborne binders for road-markings, with sports stadium owners increasingly showing interest in the quick-set technology and enhanced line visibility, alongside highways authorities looking for sustainable yet effective marking solutions.
Dow Construction Chemicals
Specific solutions being highlighted at the ECS included WALOCEL™ Xtra high-performance cellulose ether for various gypsum applications, including the latest development for spray plaster; new binder technology Elastomeric Roof Coatings with high-quality, durable waterproofing performance and an improved environmental profile; as well as a preview on the latest developments for cement-based tile adhesives and new opportunities enabled by the broadened technology platform, for applications such as ETICS, roof tile or fiber cement applications.
Dow Corning
Dow Corning became an integrated part of the Dow Chemical company on June 1st 2016. During the ECS Dow Corning showcased how to reach the next levels in mechanical resistance of architectural coatings, both in wall paint and wood coatings. Efficient and versatile additives like Dow Corning® 52 additive improve abrasion, scratch and blocking resistance significantly. Of specific interest for wall paint is the improvement of mar resistance in dark colors.
Particularly for protective coatings the company recently launched Dow Corning® 2405 resin, which can contribute to improved flexibility in high-temperature-resistant coatings. This innovative product is in addition room temperature curing.
Dow Adhesives for Packaging, Textiles and Hygiene
Dow Adhesives showcased a comprehensive portfolio of acrylic-, polyolefin- and polyurethane-based adhesives, binders, coatings and dispersions for diverse applications in the packaging, automotive, building and construction, consumer durables, textiles and hygiene markets.
Key offerings include:
- Water-based adhesives for the tapes industry;
- Extended offering for labeling applications;
- Customized solutions for protective films;
- Leading technologies for graphic films applications;
- Specific proposals for textiles and nonwovens including ultralow formaldehyde binder technology.
Dow Industrial Solutions
Dow Industrial Solutions brings customer-focused innovation that addresses formulators’ critical needs with a wide range of available chemistries and extensive applications expertise. The business focused on ensuring regulatory compliance, improving productivity, enabling improved performance efficiency, and providing an offering for sustainability.
Dow Industrial Solutions offers solvents that are extensively used in coating formulations. A broad range of products and properties provide formulators with the proper solvency for many types of resins. The utilization of a solvent system with the proper balance of solvency, volatility and surface tension properties can significantly improve the application and performance characteristics of coatings.
Dow Industrial Specialties
This division offered a wide range of industrial nitrocellulose to the printing inks, wood coatings, leather varnish, nail varnish and many other industries. The comprehensive portfolio consists of standard nitrocellulose and free-flowing nitrocellulose damped with isopropanol, ethanol or water and Nitrocellulose Chips phlegmatized with ESO, ATBC or SAIB. All grades are available in a wide viscosity range. Industrial nitrocellulose is approved for direct contact with food according to EU and FDA regulations.
Dow Microbial Control
Dow Microbial Control noted that a microbial control program encompasses plant hygiene, in-can preservation (for both the raw materials and final formulated product), dry film preservation and monitoring. The EU regulatory framework continues to challenge the status quo of preservation in the paint industry. The water framework directive, BPR and Ecolabels are examples that each represent the continued need for change and re-design of preservation systems to meet the need of the market.
The ROCIMA™, BIOBAN™ and KATHON™ product families offer customers a comprehensive product portfolio for in-can preservatives and dry-film protection.
Dow DurableScience
Under the theme of DurableScience, Dow presented specific coating solutions for transportation and industrial applications.
- DOW TRAFFIDECK™ GO anti-slip floor coating, which makes load security easier and safer. Its elastomeric properties accommodate the transportation movements and protect the trailer floor against corrosion. These are available in spray and hand applied systems for ease of application.
- DOW HYPERLAST™ PLUS provides advanced coatings for industrial applications. Suitable for concrete and steel surfaces, the range offers improved chemical and abrasion resistance. Thanks to its elastomeric performance the coating remains intact even when the concrete substrate moves or breaks. The ease of application and fast curing time result in low equipment downtime.