The 2018 American Coatings Show (ACS) concluded on April 12, with a total of 558 exhibitors, 137,500 square feet of exhibit space and over 9,200 total participants. Exhibits at the 2018 event were larger than in previous years, with impressive displays and product demonstrations. I was able to meet with many suppliers to the coatings industry. Below is just some of the technology that was discussed.

 

Arkema’s New Resin Technology

Arkema introduced ENCOR® Flex 192 Resin for use in primer-free elastomeric roof coatings. When properly formulated, coatings made with this new resin can adhere effectively to a wide variety of roofing membranes, including aged thermoplastic olefin, without the use of a solventborne primer.

“Roof coatings, and white roof coatings in particular, are one of the fastest growing applications in the industry today,” John Hiel, North America Marketing Manager, explained. “As the market continues to expand, we are continually looking for ways to improve performance, affordability and sustainability in roof coating materials. ENCOR Flex 192 resin offers significant improvements in adhesion, toughness and dirt pick-up resistance when compared to traditional materials.”

Improvements can include significantly lower overall system VOCs, decreased labor and material costs, as well as a longer service life for the roof itself as maintenance becomes a more realistic option long term. ENCOR Flex 192 binder is also suitable for other typical elastomeric coating applications, including wall coatings over a variety of cementitious substrates.

Arkema also unveiled SYNOLAC® Versa™ high-solids alkyd resins for paints and stains. This new product platform offers the performance of conventional alkyds in low-VOC formulations.

“Using this novel new line of products, formulators can develop alkyd-based coatings with lower VOCs, faster dry time and better hardness development,” said Michael Iwaniw, North American Business Manager. “The potential results include better coating performance, lower costs and improved sustainability.”

To achieve these properties, Arkema developed a new and unique polymer backbone around which multiple products can be formulated. The company is currently working with formulators worldwide to explore applications across many industries, including agricultural machinery coatings, earthmoving and construction equipment coatings, aerosol paints, traffic paints, marine and protective coatings, industrial wood coatings, industrial maintenance coatings and architectural coatings.

“In speaking with customers serving these industries, we identified a unique combination of needs that weren’t being met with more traditional products and technologies,” Iwaniw said. “The SYNOLAC Versa product line was developed specifically to meet those needs.”

 

Ascend Performance Materials Provides Unique, Sustainable Solutions

Sustainability and performance were the focus of Ascend Performance Materials’ booth. The company showcased a number of unique and sustainable products for paints and coatings, including:

  • Hextranol™ E, an ultralow-VOC, low-odor and biodegradable coalescing aid that produces superior film integrity at low loading levels, saving money without sacrificing performance. Hextranol E works with a variety of workhorse resins and on substrates with varying levels of porosity.
  • Hexatran™, a trifunctional amine that works well as a crosslinker and improves cure time and chemical resistance in epoxies, and can produce a nonyellowing isocyanate with superior chemical and weather resistance.
  • FlexaTrac™-DME Specialties, a range of high-purity, low-VOC and biodegradable dibasic ester solvents and carriers available in custom blends for specific functionality.
  • FlexaTram™-DAM-950, a high-purity 1,2-diaminocyclohexane used as a crosslinker. Ascend is one of only two producers of high-purity DACH.

 

BASF’s Stir-In Pigment for Automotive Coatings

In a separate meeting room away from its booth, BASF announced a pioneering stir-in pigment for automotive coatings that provides enhanced color depth, flop and sparkle. eXpand!™ Red (EH 3427), marketed under the Colors & Effects brand, is the first pigment to result from the strategic partnership between BASF and Landa Labs that was established last year.

The blue-shade red pigment features both high transparency and high tinting strength for unique, more intensive shades with lower scattering. Compatible with modern automotive coating systems, eXpand! Red is the first of its kind suitable for outdoor applications. The small-particle-sized, stir-in pigment is easily dispersible and cuts the time involved in the production process as opposed to conventional milling methods; this lowers costs significantly.

Other featured pigments included Lumina® Royal Exterior Dragon Gold EH 0907 (S2823D), a brilliant greenish-golden, semitransparent effect pigment. It extends the color space potential for high-chroma shades in automotive OEM/refinish, aerospace, building and construction, powder coatings, and consumer electronics applications.

 

BASF’s Booth was Trending

BASF Corp. took a trending approach at its booth to address specific needs that coatings users face today. Rather than have a product push at the show, the company wanted to take a different approach, change the conversation, and focus on customer needs and trends. BASF chose five main “trending” areas to focus on, including sustainability, cure control, value engineering, protect and perform, and smart coatings.

In the Smart Coatings area, one new line of products discussed was EFKA® IO ionic fluids that don’t allow static charge to build up. The products can be used in architectural trim paint to avoid dust accumulation in hard-to-reach places like baseboards and crown molding. It is also being looked at for its ability to repel dust on automotive sensors, as well as for potential use in powder coating applications for wheel rims.

In the Protect and Perform category, BASF’s novel stain resistance technology was discussed. These products can be formulated to resist both hydrophilic and hydrophobic stains – preventing the stains from binding to the coating. Stains can be easily wiped off without scrubbing.

For the Cure Control trend, BASF introduced Joncryl® OH 8314 end of pot-life indicator. This hydroxyl functional acrylic dispersion for 2K polyurethane coatings is designed with an indication of end of useful life (pot life). Applications include interior/exterior industrial and institutional maintenance, interior/exterior general industrial metal, direct-to-metal protective, and automotive interiors.

A second product discussed in this category was Solyfast™ 0010, a photo latent metal catalyst for curing 2K PU coatings. It reduces energy consumption by allowing coatings to cure at room temperature and addresses the issue of heating very large objects, heat-sensitive parts or heavy metal structures. It cures-on-demand, has a pot-life up to 6 hours and offers increased flexibility in process timing.

Under the Value Engineering and Sustainability categories, BASF introduced Ultrex® HP, the company’s newest calcined kaolin to reduce TiO2. Ultrex offers high opacity, high tint strength, high brightness, ease of incorporation, and can be used in waterborne and solventborne paints. Ultrex HP allows the reduction of TiO2 from 5-20% and can be used to formulate a range of eggshell, satin and matte paints.

 

Chemours Focused on Being More than Just a Supplier

The 2018 ACS is the first time Chemours has had a booth in several years. This year, all of the company’s businesses were together at the same location. Chemours wants to identify itself as not just a supplier, but a global partner. And this was a big focal point at their booth this year.

The company isn’t just focused on selling pigment. They are interested in what is happening down the value chain, and is giving their customers’ customers a way to differentiate themselves from their competition. Chemours has conducted global painter studies in more than 25 countries to determine what professional and DIY painters are looking for. The company is then able to go to their customers and tell them what these coatings users are looking for, and can work with them on developing products to fit these needs.

At the booth the company featured products like Ti-Pure™ titanium dioxide, Capstone™ repellents and Vazo™ free radical initiators.

 

Clariant’s Additives for Sustainable Coatings Solutions

Clariant premiered several cutting-edge products to support the North American growing coatings market – embracing the evolving lifestyle, mobility, safety and environmental demands of its end consumers.

Clariant debuted new sustainable additives to support new challenges, product claims and the increasing demand within North America for more sustainable coatings solutions. Its regional unveiling of advanced surface solutions, flame retardants and performance additives extends current possibilities for coatings manufacturers to sustainably improve the safety, protective lifetime, and aesthetic performance of waterborne and solventborne coatings, and respond to rising environmental demands and lifestyle, mobility and urbanization trends.

Clariant’s showcase included the North American launch of Genamin Gluco 50, a unique, sugar-based, low-VOC multifunctional neutralizer for ecolabel-certified paints.

Highlighted products for wood, automotive and architectural applications addressed key challenges facing coatings manufacturers, such as reduction of VOCs and halogen content, formulation efficiency and flexibility, and renewable ingredients. They include those distinguished with Clariant’s EcoTain® label for their outstanding sustainability and performance excellence.

Clariant introduced a new high-performance light stabilizer suitable for all kinds of highly durable clear and pigmented coatings and numerous applications, including automotive clearcoats, plastic coatings, coil coatings and high-end wood coatings. Hostavin® TB-03 is a synergistic combination of a high-performance UV absorber and a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS), characterized by its broad compatibility in solventborne and waterborne coatings.

AddWorks® LXR™ 308 AP is a liquid light stabilizer offering excellent low in-can color and long-lasting UV efficiency for vehicle clearcoat refinishes.

For wood, facade and plastic coatings, Hostavin 3070 offers outstanding weathering and resistance to migration and bleaching. Hostavin 3070 powder and Hostavin 3070 dispersion offer a "label-free" alternative to traditional HALS used in solventborne and waterborne systems respectively. Hostavin 3070 dispersion has been awarded the Clariant EcoTain label for outstanding sustainability and best-in-class performance.

For solventborne and waterborne clear and stain exterior wood protective coatings for high-end applications, Clariant offers Hostavin 3326 (dispersion and powder) which – used synergistically with Hostavin 3070 – acts as an excellent UV-protective system.

Specifically for water-based wood coatings, Clariant now offers North American coatings manufacturers the opportunity to use two new renewable material-based high-performance waxes with comparable performance to standard types. Ceridust® 8090 TP creates a protected and smooth surface with the pleasant feel of untreated wood. Ceridust 8091 TP combines smoothness with very high scratch resistance. Both are awarded the Clariant EcoTain label.

Exolit® AP 435 is a ground-breaking new halogen-free flame retardant that prolongs the shelf life of water-based intumescent coatings without affecting fire protection properties. Coatings containing Exolit AP 435 have a low and stable viscosity, even in cold environments and after long storage, offering customers increased flexibility on the construction site. The fine-particle ammonium polyphosphate has the same high quality and performance level as Clariant’s Exolit AP 422, and both carry the Clariant EcoTain label.

Tyler Kilgannon, Head of Sales North America at Clariant, commented, “For Clariant, greater sustainability for our customers goes beyond supporting them with renewable-based or more environmentally compatible ingredients. It’s about boosting their efficiency in creating coatings with longer-lasting performance or greater functionality and aesthetics. For us it is key that they can meet the increasing expectations from their end customers, whether consumer or industrial. We are excited to introduce additives solutions at ACS 2018 that will help the North American coatings markets to embrace evolving trends, while addressing safety and environmental challenges.”

Clariant also rolled out two new pigment dispersion ranges for North America’s industrial and architectural coatings manufacturers, plus its 2019 Automotive Styling Shades Trendbook.

Brandon Devis, Director of Sales & Marketing at Clariant`s Pigments business, commented, “Pigment dispersions support the industry focus on improving operational efficiencies while reducing overall cost of use. Over the past few years we have seen increasing interest from North American manufacturers in embracing our dispersions in their coatings production. Clariant is therefore delighted to support the shift in color trends towards a more colorful and interesting palette in both automotive and decorative paints. Our product range contributes to greater sustainability, performance improvements and creativity options for our customers and their end markets. Importantly, producing our globally compliant dispersions within the region means we are well placed to meet its specific needs.”

The Hostatint™ A 100-ST range features nine ready-to-use, highly transparent pigment dispersions that offer the entire color circle to solvent-based paint systems. They provide a cost-efficient way for manufacturers to enhance effects with color intensity similar to dyes but with very high light and weather fastness, and no migration or bleeding. This provides a cost-efficient way for manufacturers to meet trend directions in lifestyle electronics, consumer goods, wood, glass, coil coatings and automotive applications. The pigment dispersions are highly stable, contributing to safer storage, transportation and handling, and a long paint shelf life.

The Hostatint UV range is designed for easy and safe coloration of radiation-cured coating systems for industrial and wood coatings. The high-performance, easy-to-use colorants are offered as ready-to-use liquid pigment dispersions that support UV curing’s gain in popularity. They are high in pigment content but with a low viscosity that ensures good flow. The pigment dispersions go the next step in supporting easy formulation of low-VOC, high-performance coatings, adding further value to the increased productivity, lower costs and surface performance improvements of UV-cured wood coatings. The tinters are suitable for both interior and exterior coatings and cover the full color spectrum in opaque and transparent applications for dual and 100% UV systems.

 

Covestro Highlighted the Building Blocks of Coatings 

Covestro demonstrated the versatility of its polyurethane- and polyaspartic-based raw materials and their use in diverse markets ranging from corrosion and construction to glass and textiles.

The company launched its new Bayhydrol® UH 2887 for vinyl window coatings. The fast-drying, easy-to-use polyurethane dispersion gives one-component (1K) coatings comparable performance to two-component (2K) waterborne coatings. In addition to eliminating the need to mix two components, it lessens waste by offering no potlife limitations, reduces inventory management complexity and boosts painting throughput.

Covestro also previewed materials for decorative peelable coatings, which will allow users to change the appearance of their vehicle at their convenience, as frequently as they’d like. Designed with the automotive aftermarket in mind, the 1K water-based raw materials are a more environmentally friendly formula that can help customers meet North American VOC restrictions, including those from California. Decorative peelable coatings feature superior gasoline resistance, scratch resistance and greater efficiency with heavy duty properties, all while offering a safe and easy removal process.

To help customers find the right formulation of raw materials before finalizing a coating, Covestro demonstrated the use of a new digital formulation mapping service. With this system, users will be able to quickly and easily develop formulations that meet their specific market and customer needs. This tool not only allows product configurations to be custom designed, but also drastically reduces development time, helping products reach customers faster than ever before.

In addition to these highlights, Covestro displayed solutions for the following markets:

  • Construction: Components in the built environment require protection from the elements, chemicals and more. With polyurethanes and polyaspartics from Covestro, these materials resist abrasion, chemicals and weather, and adhere to a wide range of substrates. Raw materials for coatings can be customized for different applications, from concrete floor coatings to architectural, waterproofing and roof coatings.
  • Corrosion Protection: Protective coatings extend the life of the smallest of metal parts to the largest marine vessels. Anticorrosion coatings formulated with raw materials from Covestro, including polyurethane, polyaspartic and polyester resins, are effective for preventing corrosion.
  • Glass: Coatings help protect and decorate glass in applications ranging from beverage containers to buildings. Polyurethane coatings formulated with the company's raw materials reduce temperature and curing time by two-thirds compared to traditional ceramic coatings, providing significant energy and time savings. Recent developments allow for low-VOC, low-temperature and no-bake options, while more environmentally friendly materials, like waterborne organic coatings, reduce solvent emissions during the application process.
  • Textiles: Coated fabrics are functional and pleasing to the eye. High-tech waterborne polyurethane technology from Covestro plays a key role in bringing a broad range of functionalities, like effects, finishes and color, to the market. Polyurethane coatings are the key to high-quality materials that offer comfort and durability.

 

CQV Showcased Effect Pigment Technology

CQV Co., Ltd. is a Korean-based supplier that specializes in the manufacture and development of effect pigment technologies. Formerly  known as Engelhard Korea, part of the Mearl/Engelhard Corporation, CQV was established after the purchase of Engelhard by BASF in 1996 and has been supplying the global effect pigment market ever since.

CQV product lines include natural and synthetic mica, borosilicate glass and platy alumina. Batch-to-batch consistency, high luster and brightness, ease of application, chemical stability and unique colors are hallmarks of the CQV line of products. CQV offers many different product types for industrial, exterior and cosmetic grade applications.

The company’s Adamas™ line is a series of effect pigments based on platy alumina (Al2O3) that are subsequently coated with various highly refractive metal oxides to create a wide range of intense sparkling colors. CQV has its own patented technology, allowing for the creation of platelets of uniform thickness, surface smoothness and narrow particle size distributions, which generate colors of exceptional depth, purity and sparkle. Adamas is available in two particle size ranges: 5-30 micron (K-fraction) and 9-45 micron (S fraction). These come in nine different colors including white, five interference and three metallic shades.

 

Dow’s Innovative and Sustainable Solutions

The Dow Chemical Company highlighted collaboration with customers and the coatings industry. Working across the industry, the company continues developing innovative and sustainable solutions that make coatings work better and change the way people experience coatings every day.

“Teaming up with our customers to resolve their challenges is our number-one priority,” said Kate Glasser, North America Business Director, Dow Coating Materials. “By sharing our chemistry and formulated solutions expertise with customers, industry participants and our colleagues in the Dow businesses that serve the coatings industry, we remain well-equipped to help our customers meet rapidly evolving regulatory, environmental and consumer demands around the world. We rely on ACS for the meaningful and productive in-person conversations we engage in with attendees that enable us to work together to sustain what matters.”

Several Dow businesses – Coating Materials, Construction Chemicals, Microbial Control, Industrial Solutions and Performance Silicones – had technical experts on hand during the show to discuss how Dow can help customers adapt and thrive as they navigate a consolidating coatings industry.

“We invest in, and we’re often early adopters of, technical capabilities that enable us to imagine the future of coatings,” said Glasser. “Our ability to solve problems on a micro or macro level aligns our strengths to the industry’s urgent need for sustainable coatings that can help address global trends, from enhancing coatings’ performance to withstand increasingly harsh environments for longer periods of time, or eliminating materials of concern for consumers and regulators eager to adopt cleaner coatings, to adding functionality that could evolve the role of coatings as enablers of smart cities.”

A wide range of coatings solutions across the participating Dow businesses were featured at the show, including organic and silicone chemistries for binders, additives, solvents, dispersants, rheology modifiers, surfactants and biocides that serve diverse markets.

 

Eastman Featured Protective Resin

Three brightly painted suits of armor greeted visitors at the Eastman booth. The knights were coated with paint containing Eastman Tetrashield™ protective resin systems to demonstrate the technology’s ability to improve appearance and durability. Tetrashield technology has been shown in third-party labs to provide superior weathering, scratch protection and chemical resistance, while also enabling productivity and sustainability enhancements.

“A game changer like Tetrashield doesn’t come along very often in the coatings industry,” said Charlie Giaudrone, General Manager of the Eastman Coatings and Inks business. “With Tetrashield, formulators can now develop coatings that address some of the most significant challenges facing their customers such as increasing the durability of automotive coatings, creating high-performing BPA-free food and beverage packaging, and improving the protection of industrial assets.”

Visitors could put Tetrashield to the test by running a key across painted metal panels. With this hands-on demonstration, attendees could see the superior durability of a Tetrashield-based coating compared to a commercial paint.

For formulators wanting more details about Tetrashield, Eastman team members offered comparative data on the technology’s weatherability, chemical resistance and hardness. With its unique balance of flexibility and hardness, Tetrashield is a novel technology that meets or exceeds both appearance and durability standards. Eastman developed Tetrashield protective solutions for multiple markets including automotive, industrial and metal packaging.

 

Everlight Showcased UV Absorbers and Light Stabilizers

Everlight Chemical focuses on the development of chemical synthesis technology, which gradually became its core competency. Today the company’s main product lines include color chemicals, light stabilizers, electronic chemicals, pharmaceutical chemicals and TTI toner.

Everlight has positioned itself as a high-tech chemical enterprise making contributions to the well-being of mankind. The company has continually developed high-value-added, low-energy-consumption, and low-polluting high-tech chemical products.

In addition to introducing dyestuffs, Everlight Chemical has successfully entered the functional dye market, supplying products to the opto-electronics industry and ink for ink-jet printers. It has also developed light stabilizers for plastics, coatings and cosmetics. The nanomaterials business is focusing on functional coating materials used in the opto-electronics industry. 

The company presented its latest UV-durability solutions for eco-friendly coatings and other surface treatments. Everlight has developed a series of UV absorbers and light stabilizers that can effectively be compatible with various systems, improving UV resistance, fully protecting coatings from light degradation.

 

Gelest Antimicrobial Punctures Organisms’ Cell Wall

Gelest featured its BIOSAFE® silicon-based antimicrobial that imparts bacteriostatic, fungistatic and algistatic properties to coatings and resins for manufactured goods. It protects materials used in a wide range of consumer and industrial applications where microorganisms can cause staining, pitting, deterioration or foul odors, including healthcare, building products and sporting goods. The organosilicon technology is more cost-effective and faster acting than silver-based additives, avoids discoloration and is nonleaching.

BIOSAFE technology provides an environmentally sustainable means of prolonging the useful life of consumer and industrial products. The antimicrobial component kills microorganisms by effectively puncturing and rupturing the organisms’ cell wall. By comparison, conventional antimicrobials kill by leaching into the cell, where they are metabolized and interfere with critical life processes. This conventional mode of action has been shown to cause microorganisms to mutate and adapt, becoming resistant to the antimicrobial. BIOSAFE products avoid this problem.

The antimicrobial effectiveness and safety is verified by independent GLP/EPA-registered labs.

 

Hexion Introduced Two New Resins

Hexion Inc. showcased a new hybrid epoxy/polysiloxane resin that offers superior performance in protective coatings. When crosslinked with aminosilanes, topcoats that incorporate Hexion’s EPOSIL™ Resin 5550 offer excellent resistance to corrosion, higher service temperatures and antigraffiti properties, while providing excellent gloss retention and lower yellowing. Hybrid epoxy/polysiloxane coatings offer superior durability and are a high-performance alternative to traditional aliphatic polyurethane coatings that contain free isocyanate monomers.

“Since this technology has a successful history of use in protective coatings, EPOSIL Resin 5550 will help our customers to develop improved specialty coatings for high-value applications,” said Dan Weinmann, Market Development Manager, Epoxy Specialties. “With the introduction of this new hybrid resin, Hexion offers our customers a viable route to the formulation of lower yellowing, isocyanate-free topcoats.”

Recommended applications include antigraffiti coatings, dry erase coatings, higher temperature coatings (up to 600 °F; 315 °C), and protective coatings for new construction such as airports, stadiums, bridges, piping and offshore platforms.

In new construction, topcoats based on EPOSIL Resin 5550, when applied over a zinc-rich primer, can eliminate the midcoat in traditional three-layer coatings systems, leading to reduced costs and time savings.

Hexion also introduced its latest high-performance epoxy dispersion, EPI-REZ™ Resin 7720-W-50. When combined with EPIKURE™ Curing Agent 6870-W-53, this solid epoxy dispersion offers performance comparable to solventborne systems at less than 50 g/L of VOCs.

As the newest member of this family of high-performance dispersions, EPI-REZ Resin 7720-W-50 offers superior product stability and wider formulating latitude due to its ultralow VOC content. Starting-point formulations with less than 50 g/L VOC are available and provide superior adhesion, faster dry and long pot life. These primer, high-gloss and semigloss epoxy starting formulations are suitable for protection of concrete or masonry, as well as a variety of metal substrates.

“Waterborne epoxy coatings are growing around the world, particularly in China, Germany and Brazil, and Hexion is partnering with key customers to create a more sustainable future,” said Ann Frederix, Senior Vice President, Epoxy Specialties. “However, conversion from traditional epoxy systems to waterborne epoxies does not mean that performance is sacrificed because this new epoxy dispersion provides improved ease of formulation, superior adhesion to concrete or metal and excellent corrosion resistance.”

Suggested applications for this new ultralow-VOC dispersion include concrete coatings for floors and walls; protective coatings for metal; agricultural and construction equipment coatings; transportation coatings for truck, bus or railway; and coatings for metal automotive parts and accessories.

 

LANXESS Announced Prestigious Award and Showcased Expanded Portfolio

Specialty chemicals company LANXESS presented an expanded offering of products and services for the paint and coatings industry. Three business units – Inorganic Pigments, Material Protection Products and Urethane Systems – came together to present their portfolios, which include high-performance pigments, biocides and now urethane materials for a range of coatings applications.

I met with Holger Hüppeler, who recently took over the management of the Inorganic Pigments (IPG) business unit at LANXESS. Hüppeler was previously Manager of the Procurement and Logistics group function. He was excited to discuss the company’s new benchmark in the pigments industry – being awarded the prestigious National Green Plant certificate from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China for the company’s new production facility in Ningbo. This quality seal is awarded to just 1,000 best-in-class companies who demonstrate a clear commitment to sustainability in their respective industries by implementing cutting-edge technology and environmentally friendly practices in their production facilities.

At the ACS, LANXESS IPG introduced its new product range of red iron oxide pigments. The new grades, Bayferrox® 510, Bayferrox TP 5278 and Bayferrox TP 5279, satisfy demand for more yellow-shade red pigments. At the same time, they are produced by the Ningbo process, a uniquely sustainable manufacturing method based on patented technology that meets the most stringent environmental standards.

Performance-wise, the new red grades meet the high standards of the well-known Bayferrox brand and provide unique benefits for paints and coatings producers. Some of those product characteristics include high chromaticity and tinting strength, good optical appearance with respect to gloss and haze, and optimized milling parameters for easy dispersability, even at low shear energy input. Additionally, the Ningbo process significantly reduces the residual, water-soluble salt content of the pigments, making them suitable for corrosion-resistant coatings.

 

New Business Unit: Urethanes Systems

With the 2017 acquisition of Chemtura Corporation, LANXESS is now a leading global supplier of urethane systems for a range of applications. The new Urethanes Systems (URE) business unit highlighted its portfolio of Witcobond® polyurethane dispersions, Fomrez® polyester polyols and Trixene®urethane prepolymers for the coatings industry.

Water-based polyurethane dispersions from the Witcobond line provide a full range of polymer properties in terms of toughness, hardness, flexibility, weatherability and overall durability for industrial coatings, leather and textile coatings and finishes, and plastic coatings. Additionally, they enable formulators to comply with increasingly demanding regulations on VOC, effluents and other potentially harmful components.

Fomrez polyester polyols lend themselves to surface and substrate protection in coatings, and aid in pigment dispersion and durability in paints. Trixene (solventborne and waterborne) blocked isocyanates are used as crosslinkers designed for one-component factory-applied heat-cured coatings.

 

Microbiological Protection for Paints with a Long Shelf Life

As one of the leading manufacturers of biocidal active ingredients and biocide formulations, the LANXESS Material Protection Products (MPP) business unit featured its comprehensive range of Preventol® biocides for the coatings industry, proven to enhance in-can preservation and extend dry-film protection. The preservatives help protect wood coatings, emulsion paints, coatings and plasters from microbial attack.

 

Lonza’s New MIT-Free Preservative

Lonza introduced a new addition to the Proxel® range of preservatives into the North American market. This new in-can preservative is designed to address the increasing global market demand for methylisothiazolinone (MIT)-free biocide formulations.

Proxel Spektra™ preservative is a dual-active, broad-spectrum preservative that offers effective preservation of industrial products against spoilage caused by bacteria, yeast and mold. This formulation benefits from the use of two complementary active ingredients, providing enhanced antimicrobial efficacy and long-term protection. The introduction of the preservative to the Proxel range further expands Lonza’s MIT-free offering, providing more solutions to customers seeking MIT-free preservation.

Murray Hemsley, Global Marketing Director Paints and Coatings, commented, “We continue to work on new, innovative solutions to help address the challenge of increasingly more stringent regulations in coatings preservation. Proxel Spektra preservative is a great addition to our MIT-free range of products offering robust long-term protection without the use of MIT.”

 

The MCEC Discussed the Benefits of Microbial Control Technologies

The Microbial Control Executive Council (MCEC), which brings together some of the world’s leading companies producing microbial control solutions, is a sector group of the European Chemical Industry Council for the advancement of microbial control. The Council is an initiative pioneered by the world’s leading companies developing and supplying microbial control technologies and solutions.

Its members, including Michael Schäfer, MCEC Chair and Head of Business Unit Material Protection at LANXESS, as well as W. Brian Smith, MCEC Co-Chair and Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Troy Corporation, were present at the show to discuss MCEC’s initiatives. These activities aim to promote and explain the added value and innovation that microbial control technologies can bring to society.

W. Brian Smith said, “The MCEC was created to promote and explain the added value and innovation that microbial control technologies bring to society. Member organizations saw the value in an organization of this kind to foster open dialogue about microbial control, and to educate the public on the many benefits this advanced technology offers. Additionally, the MCEC was conceived by member companies to educate audiences on the efforts these companies undertake to ensure the development of safe, environmentally responsible product technologies.

“Microbial control technologies are essential in today’s paints and coatings, both in the paint can during storage and when applied to exterior as well as interior surfaces. The science of microbial control involves determining the source and type of contaminants and surface growth threats, and then devising the most effective, safest and “greenest” means to protect against them. That is the focus of member organizations at this week’s show, and one of the areas in which the MCEC is engaged.”

The MCEC is encouraging industry members to sign up for its newsletter at www.microbial-control.com.

 

Olin Showcased New Generation of Epoxy Systems

Olin Corp.’s Research and Development team showcased the company’s latest innovations. The team has created a new generation of epoxy systems to meet today’s stringent regulations on VOCs, minimize flammability and health concerns, while still maintaining the benchmark performance of higher VOC solvent-based versions.

Epoxy coatings have long been the workhorse of protective finishes due to their excellent corrosion, heat and chemical resistance. Traditional epoxy coatings rely on solvents for applicability and quick drying properties. Now Olin’s new 100% solids ambient-cure liquid pipe coating system takes these applications to a new level.

Yong Zhang, Technical Services Manager for Olin, presented a paper at the American Coatings Conference that discussed how this new system outperforms the commercial benchmarks for pipe coating applications by providing a longer pot life, same drying speed and hardness, while meeting increasingly aggressive industrial requirements.

Kelvin Mi, Technical Services Manager for Olin, presented a paper featuring the performances of 2K waterborne anticorrosive primer and 2K waterborne zinc-rich primer with Olin’s novel waterborne epoxy systems. He highlighted how these waterborne coating systems can overcome the challenges when converting solventborne formulations to waterborne, while still address low VOC.

In addition, Marie-Josee Dery-Chauvette, Olin’s Global Strategic Marketing Associate Director, presented a poster on a successful field application of a novel low-VOC, low-viscosity epoxy (LVE). The application was conducted in a region regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, where limitations on allowable emissions from the coating process are enforced, and VOCs are calculated daily and limit the quantity of paint that can be applied, which impacts maintenance scheduling, cost and timing. The session highlighted how LVE resins can provide formulation flexibility, high performance, ease of application, increased productivity and maintenance flexibility to paint producers, contractors and asset owners.

 

OMNOVA Addressed Challenging Applications

OMNOVA Solutions introduced new technologies designed to address challenging applications and help paint manufacturers achieve their objectives for performance and sustainability.

New technologies include:

  • Pliotec® LEB20 waterborne resin for exterior paints and coatings uses unique proprietary technology to yield excellent water resistance, and resists surfactant leaching and efflorescence. It also provides excellent early rain resistance.
  • X50-203 waterborne resin for use in nonblushing concrete and tile sealers is low-VOC, APE-free and can be used in clear or pigmented applications. It offers superior whitening/blush-resistance, outstanding adhesion to multiple substrates and very good resistance to tire staining and hot tire pick-up.
  • Pliotec HDT16 DTM and multisubstrate resin provides excellent water and corrosion resistance for high-gloss, direct-to-metal paints and metal primers. Pliotec HDT16 resin is also well suited to multisubstrate coatings due to its excellent adhesion properties.
  • Hydro Pliolite® 211 waterborne intumescent coating has best-in-class performance in terms of char formation and water resistance. It enables development of durable coatings that can be used in interior/exterior and high humidity applications.

 

Orion Engineered Carbons Showcased Easily Dispersible Specialty Carbon Blacks

Orion Engineered Carbons showcased two key carbon black grades: easily dispersible COLOUR BLACK OE 430 W POWDER and SPECIAL BLACK 40 POWDER.

COLOUR BLACK OE 430 W POWDER, formerly known as XPB 430 POWDER, is a stir-in preparation for high-jet waterborne coatings. SPECIAL BLACK 40 POWDER is a carbon black for medium- to high-jet industrial coatings and tinting applications.

Orion is a worldwide supplier of carbon black. The company produces a broad range of carbon blacks that include high-performance specialty gas blacks, furnace blacks, lamp blacks, thermal blacks and other carbon blacks that tint, colorize and enhance the performance of polymers, plastics, paints and coatings, inks and toners, textile fibers, adhesives and sealants, tires, and mechanical rubber goods such as automotive belts and hoses.

 

SONGWON's Commitment to the North American Coatings Industry

For the first time, SONGWON Industrial Co., Ltd. was present at the ACS, showcasing its latest high-performance solutions. The company is using its experience to further develop the technologies it offers the coatings industry and strengthen its focus on specialty chemicals designed for coatings, inks and adhesives, amongst other applications.

To ensure reliable supply in the United States, Canada and Mexico, SONGWON has appointed a distributor for these countries. As of April 9, Omya, a leading global producer of industrial minerals and worldwide distributor of specialty chemicals, will represent SONGWON in the U.S., Canada and Mexico as the distributor of its UV absorbers, hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS), selected photoinitiators and antioxidants designed for the coatings, adhesives and construction markets. The new agreement builds on a long-standing distribution partnership between Omya and SONGWON in the plastics market.

“Our presence at the ACS and the nomination of a distributor for North America underlines SONGWON’s commitment to the American coatings industry and are an important step forward in our expansion in this sector,” said Rosanna Telesca, Leader Market Center Coatings.

“We are exhibiting our extensive portfolio of innovative solutions for demanding coating applications, focusing on customers’ present and future needs,” she added.

Special highlights included SONGNOX® CS antioxidants for the prevention of degradation caused by heat, SONGSORB® CS HALS, which provide protection throughout product life, SONGSORB CS UV absorbers, which counteract photo-oxidation, and SONGCURE® CS photoinitiators, which achieve the right speed and properties in UV curing.

Other ranges on display included SONGCAT™ tin intermediates and catalysts, which are products of choice for conversion and curing in applications such as electrodeposition coating or crosslinking of siloxanes and urethanes, and in addition are suitable as catalysts in the synthesis of esters and other chemicals.

SONGWON also featured HI-THANE™ polyurethane ink binders and laminating adhesives, which generate significant value for printing ink producers and film packaging converters through increased productivity and profitability.

 

Sun Chemical Provided Learning Opportunity for Customers

Sun Chemical Performance Pigments offers a broad portfolio of pigments, including classical, high-performance, inorganic, metallic, organic, pearlescent, preparations and synthetic mica pearls. The company provides customers with solutions tailor made for their individual needs and requirements in the coatings, cosmetics, digital, merchant ink, plastics and specialties markets.

Sun hosted learning technology sessions off site of the ACS to provide a foundation for those new to pigments and to strengthen the knowledge of those already familiar with them. I attended sessions on Pearlescent Pigments in Coatings, and a Technology Review of Colorants and High Performance Pigments.

The company’s Mike Venturini and Anthony Rohrer shared information on SunMICA® white pearlescent pigments, SunGEM® XST sparkle effect pigments and SunMICA Lux synthetic mica pigments. They also discussed the different types of mica pigments and when to use metallic versus mica pigments.

Also discussed were the new Fanchon® high-performance yellow and orange pigments that provide excellent strength, durability and fastness, as well as Quindo® pigments that offer bright color in a variety of red, violet and magenta shades. The diverse Quindo product line allows formulation of transparent grades for new effect trends and opaque versions for deep colors.

 

TOLSA Showcased New Series of Additives  

TOLSA, based in Madrid, a leading global supplier of specialized additives for the paint and coatings industry, showcased its portfolio of rheological additives based on high-purity sepiolite technology.

TOLSA highlighted its broad range of products and the performance of its high-growth U.S. additives business. TOLSA has built a strong foundation in the U.S. by producing unique additives for water-based and solvent-based systems. The company has experienced strong growth over the last several years, and its long-term strategy is to expand its resources and capabilities with new investment in technology, manufacturing, capital and personnel.

“With our broad product portfolio we are firmly positioned as a strategic supplier to the U.S. market,” said Michelle Mercurio, sales director for TOLSA USA. “Our innovative technology has now been validated in the U.S., and we continue to see strong results as our products gain market share.”

TOLSA highlighted the PANGEL® series of rheological additives for water-based and solvent-based paints and coatings. The product range is based on a wide variety of special clays, including sepiolite, attapulgite, montmorillonite and saponite with each sharing the capabilities of easy build up, shear thinning and thixotropic gel structures.

PANGEL additives are composed of extremely high-purity sepiolite minerals. TOLSA developed the technology required for purification and production of highly efficient and very low-crystalline silica additives, which are unique in the industry. These two key characteristics make them extremely good candidates as attapulgite additive alternatives.

A key feature of PANGEL technology is its ability to yield fewer defects when incorporated into a coatings system, thus providing a competitive advantage for the end user. PANGEL products are particularly efficient in architectural and industrial coatings where solids content and filler density often drives strong variations in coatings stability.

For waterborne systems, TOLSA offers the PANGEL S series, produced from high-purity sepiolite with outstanding suspension and antisagging capacity unaffected by electrolytes. It is normally used as a co-thickener with HEC or associative thickeners for improving syneresis and sedimentation, and replaces attapulgite thickeners at half dosage. Other products for waterborne systems include the PANGEL W series, specifically developed to enhance thickening and antisagging properties with water retention and excellent brushability, and the PANGEL M series, produced from high-purity bentonite for easy gelling and dispersing capacity.

Products for solvent-based systems include the PANGEL B series, which are rheological organoclay additives based on high-purity sepiolite with extra performance and additional suspension capacity, antisagging and homogenizing; and the PANGEL OM series, rheological organoclay additives based on high-purity bentonite for easy incorporation. The PANGEL OMD series consists of self-activated organoclay additives based on high-purity bentonite for easy incorporation into solvent-based systems.

The company also featured PANSIL® UltraSpheres Spherical Ceramic MicroSpheres. UltraSpheres deliver improved performance, reduced resin use, lower cost and fewer VOCs in a range of applications.

PANSIL UltraSpheres are economical, high-performance silica alumina ceramic microspheres used as fillers in a wide range of paints, coatings, mastics and other construction materials. Compared to irregular-shaped and partially spherical fillers, the 100% spherical shape of these microspheres provides improved processing and performance.

 

Troy Exhibited New Technologies

Troy Corporation presented its full line of advanced products, including next-generation Polyphase®, Fungitrol® and Troysan® dry-film preservatives; advanced Mergal® and Nuosept® wet-state preservatives; multifunctional, sustainable performance additives for liquid and powder coatings; and driers. Troy also exhibited its full suite of services, including worldwide field testing, the unique TMMA microbial management program, and global regulatory support.

Troy featured innovative new product technology and world-class services.

“Performance, quality, sustainability and value are at the heart of all new Troy products,” said Dr. Frank Cangelosi, Vice President, Marketing. “Troy develops technologies that customers need to stay ahead of their competition, and supports these products with value-added services and extensive testing to optimize results in customer formulations.”

Troy’s Polyphase CR technology consists of next-generation controlled release dry-film fungicide + algaecides. These preservatives are highly resistant to leaching, resulting in remarkably long-lasting coatings protection as well as providing environmental benefits.

Troy’s Mergal wet-state preservatives offer powerful ‘quick kill’ activity, long-lasting protection, as well as additional performance and cost-in-use benefits. The latest Mergal wet-state preservatives are excellent choices for modern ‘green’ coatings, as they are free of VOC, APE and formaldehyde.

Troy featured its new Troysperse ZWD green pigment dispersants for aqueous systems. Troysperse ZWD dispersants promote excellent pigment dispersion at low use levels for optimal cost-in-use, and are environmentally friendly.

The full line of Powdermate® powder coating additives, engineered for a wide range of applications – from automotive and clearcoats to general industrial, were displayed as well. Powdermate additives provide degassing, flow and leveling, and texturing, as well as additional functionalities.

Troy also presented its complete line of driers, including cobalt alternative solutions and a new line of driers developed for water-based paints and coatings.