Energy for process improvements in
thermostatic controls, insulation, recovering heat from air compressing and
using it in the building and hot water
heat exchangers. Eliokem is also constantly evaluating process improvements in our manufacturing facilities
as a way to lower costs.”
GREEN PRODUCTS
Even in these challenging econcomic
times, resin manufacturers recognize
opportunities for growth. Developing
innovative products is one way a company can stay afloat. Demand for energy efficient, green products is increasing and resin makers have invested
considerable resources in bringing
these products to market.
“There is a silver lining in the market
because there is an increased demand
for green products,” said Mitchell.
“There are two drivers for this: increasingly stringent regulations and marketing advantages. As regional VOC regulations continue to tighten and as green
certification criteria continue to evolve,
paint manufacturers are continuing to
move forward with low to no VOC
paints. They realize that the regulations will not stem just because of a bad
economy. They also realize that the best
market trend to capture right now is in
the area of green paints.”
“The economic downturn has one positive effect on the resins market,” said
Nicole O’Brien of Nolax. “It gives customers the time they need to develop
their new environmentally friendly
products.”
Nolax has recently launched WP. 20
and DXV.4051 resins. “WP. 20 is an
additive for coatings that allows film
formation in temperatures less than
50ºF and with 95% humidity,” said
O’Brien. “This is very unique chemistry, and there is nothing like it on the
market. It allows the end user to
extend their season into the early and
later winter. This translates into more
sales for our customers. DXV.4051 is a
Veova/acrylic resin for manufacturing
outside paints. It is very hyrdrophobic
and water resistant. The finished paint
even has a ‘beading-up’ effect, and silicones can be replaced. It also has low
water uptake and excellent flexibility.”
Cytec has recently launched two
new resins. Beckopox EP 386 is a
versatile, solid epoxy dispersion well
suited for the rigors of high performance protective coatings. It is shear
stable, allowing for pigments to be
dispersed directly. “When combined
with Beckopox VEH 2188 amine hardener, it has outstanding corrosion
resistance properties, exceeding 1,000
hours without the use of corrosion
inhibiting pigments,” said Scoville.
“Combined with Beckopox EH 623
hardener, the system has excellent
chemical, abrasion and adhesion
properties on concrete.”
Cytec’s Resdyrol AY 588 is a very
low VOC, water-based alkyd hybrid
which allows the development of interior and exterior high gloss trim
paints below 50 g/l. These paints
demonstrate high gloss appearance
in brush, roll or airless spray applications. Flow and sag balance can be
formulated to provide very high
build, one coat hiding over primer; or
in two coat, self primed applications.
The fast tack free time of Resdyrol
AY 588 paints allows for two coats to
be applied in one day, thereby reducing time to complete projects
EcoVAE 401 is a high molecular
weight vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE)
emulsion from Celanese that has been
engineered to offer a balance of performance characteristics and to enable the
development of eco-friendly coatings.
This VAE emulsion exhibits a large difference between the glass transition
temperature (Tg) and minimum film
forming temperature (MFFT) that
allows the creation of a durable film
without the need for coalescing
agents–the primary source of VOCs in
paints. EcoVAE 401 enables the formulation of paints with less than 50 g/l
VOC or even lower. The surfactant technology used in EcoVAE 401 allows high
performance that is comparable to APE-stabilized surfactants used in other
emulsions. Improved film formation and
hydroplasticizaton deliver superior
touch-up performance over vinyl acrylic
and all-acrylic systems. EcoVAE 401
delivers excellent scrub resistance when
compared with vinyl acrylic technology.
This new product, paired with Cel-
anese’s technical service and applications expertise, will readily facilitate
conversion from vinyl acrylic emulsion
to VAE emulsion systems by paint manufacturers to improve both the performance quality and environmental profile
of their coatings.
Eliokem has focused its efforts on
developing resins that permit formulation at lower VOC levels. “Pliotec CR30
is an acrylic copolymer developed
specifically for less than 50g/l VOC
garage floor coatings,” said Wilson.
“Creating a low VOC garage floor coating is a challenge, particularly when
reducing the VOC to meet environmental legislation without compromising
the performance of the coating. Pliotec
CR30 was created and formulated into
a coating which imparts excellent
chemical resistance, good abrasion
resistance, good resistance to hot tire
pick up, has freeze/thaw stability and
low temperature cure at 35°F.”
Rohm and Haas has introduced a
range of innovative products for both
the architectural and industrial coatings markets, including solvent-free
rheology modifiers, low to zero-VOC
binders, and APEO-free binders.
Rhoplex VSR-2015 is a 100% acrylic
binder designed for interior and exterior flat to semi-gloss coatings. Rhoplex
VSR-2015 is low-solvent capable and
contains no APEO (alkyl phenol
ethoxylate) surfactants and is low in
ammonia odor. Rhoplex VSR-2015
binder does not require a coalescing
solvent to pass a low temperature film
formation test.
Rohm and Haas has also launched
Avanse ST-410 emulsion. This new
high-performance, 100% acrylic,
waterborne polymer can be formulated to meet the toughest VOC standards. “Semi-transparent stains based
on Avanse ST-410 do not require coalescent or heavy metal driers, they are
easy to apply, and they enhance the
appearance of new and weathered
wood with a long-lasting finish,” said
Singhal. “In addition, the combination
of morphology and unique particle stabilization maximizes the flow and lapping characteristics during application, while building early resistance
properties upon drying.” CW
