This month’s Formulating with Mike column continues the focus on resins and discusses acrylic emulsion polymerization, in particular, surfactant design and how it affects the polymerization of a vinyl-acrylic emulsion.

The new plant is one of several similar investments into the elastomers business across the globe. The products can be used in offshore wind turbines and to manufacture photovoltaic panels, among others.
 

Research has shown that a thin cellulose film can inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus within minutes, inhibit the growth of bacteria including E.coli, and mitigate contact transfer of pathogens. The coating is invisible to the naked eye, and is abrasion resistant under dry conditions, making it suitable for use on high-traffic objects such as door handles and handrails.  

Assembled into photonic crystals, brush block co-polymers have demonstrated utility in creating coatings with ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared reflectivity, radar transparency, and the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of performance coatings by up to 50%. One company has set a course to launch a structural color co-polymer based on this unique technology.

This month’s Formulating with Mike column covers the life cycle assessment of alkyd emulsions and concludes the four-part series on alkyd emulsification.

Company President Marc Jackson assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective June 30, 2023. Jackson succeeds founder and CEO Tom Eckhardt who will remain with the company as chairman of the board.

He brings a wealth of chemical industry operational expertise, including 10 years of manufacturing experience in refineries, cogeneration, and chemical reactors. The company hopes he will continue to contribute to upgrades in supply security.

Project specifiers and coatings contractors are demanding water-based coatings that keep outdoor air safer and nuisance-free.

Polymers are unlike other types of compounds because of their extremely large size, which has a great impact on their unique properties and how they behave in different phase states. Many applications of polymers and polymer coatings need flexibility at low to ambient temperatures. This article explores the difference between amorphous and crystalline polymers.

The new Ohio facility provides advanced capabilities for the company’s next generation Accelshield™ packaging coatings, connecting innovation and research and development with trials and production.