PHILADELPHIA - Rohm and Haas Co. said it has received a $3.75-million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Industrial Technologies Program to develop new polymer technologies designed to reduce by as much as 30% the raw materials used to manufacture a variety of paint and coatings. The company said the research project will span five years and cost approximately $5.5 million.

Rohm and Haas said it will work with Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM), the University of Minnesota and the Department of Energy to combine novel water-based polymeric binders with new biomass-derived coalescing agents to develop architectural paint and coatings materials. The coatings will be designed to offer performance, environmental friendliness and cost efficiencies, the company said. Rohm and Haas and ADM will be responsible for more than 30% of the total cost, with the remainder to be funded by DOE.

Rohm and Haas said the development program will initially target the North American architectural-coatings market but will expand into other markets including industrial coatings, paper, carpet, textiles and construction.

More information about the Department of Energy's Industrial Technologies Program can be found at www.eere.energy.gov/industry.