Coatings World - April 2012

Grease resistant UV curable coatings may be formulated from GRAS components. Grease resistance shows a high dependence on a sufficient quantity of starch in relation to the amount of protein, however the addition of xanthan gum and powdered vegetables also contribute to grease resistance. The most successful coatings contain protein, gum, starch, and may contain powdered vegetable. These coatings also show a high degree of abrasion resistance, as illustrated by the Sutherland Rub data. Even coatings which show a lower degree of grease resistance demonstrate abrasion resistance. CW

References

1. Radtech Resources Page,
http://radtech.org/whats_new/FCN.html (accessed 7/23/2009)

An interview with Bob Crockett,
CEO of Ecology Coatings

Coatings World: What types of radia-tion-cured coatings does your company produce and what markets do they serve?

Bob Crockett: Ecology Coatings produces solvent-free UV curable coatings that have superior resistance to moisture, household cleaners, automotive chemicals and heath and beauty products. In addition, products are available that have excellent scratch resistance and can function in hot water-freeze cycles. These products are sold in the label and packaging markets for overprint protection. The high level of protection provided allows these products to replace polymer film overlays with a significant cost savings and positive impact on sustainability by reducing polymer content in overprint protection.

CW: What markets present the best opportunity for growth?

Crockett: Consumer preferences are moving label and packaging markets rapidly towards increased sustainability in terms of both changing materials and package design. This means that growth will be available where suppliers support and enable these changes.

In addition, the level of interest and
activity in bio-based products has in-
creased dramatically in recent years. This
has spurred widespread development at
all levels of the radcure supply chain.
How this will affect the markets for radi-
ation-cured coatings will depend prima-
rily on the value propositions created and
secondarily on bio-based initiatives to re-
place petroleum-based commodities.

CW: Now that the concept of “going green” has become so popular with consumers, what is your company doing to tap into this resource?

Crockett : Ecology Coatings is supporting green initiatives in the label and packaging markets in two ways. First, our high performance coatings can replace plastic films for overprint protection. This reduces the volume and weight of polymer used for overprint protection by 40 to 60 percent. Second, a new bio-based UV curable product that self-crosslinks with UV light – EcoPhotic – is expected to provide alternatives to conventional UV curable coatings for functions such as moisture, grease and air flow management on paper products that remain renewable, recyclable and compostable.

The EcoPhotoic product uses bio-
based materials for its formulations. Un-
like almost all other UV-cured inks and
coatings, this element allows the use of
EcoPhotic products in direct contact with
food and eliminates concerns about un-
reacted UV chemicals. Many food ingre-
dients have the potential to enhance a
consumer’s product experience because
of its packaging. Teamed up with
EcoPhotic technology, such ingredients
make possible additional packaging ma-
terial functionality. Benefits like natural
antioxidants, customized aroma experi-
ences and shelf life-extending antimicro-
bial activity are now practical.

CW: In what areas are your R&D efforts being focused?

Crockett : Ecology Coatings’ R&D effort is focused on expanding the products available for both laminate replacement and new hard coats for polymer films with exceptional scratch resistance. In addition, activity in bio-based products is demonstrating applications such as inks that can be in direct food contact that are possible with EcoPhotic UV curable material.

CW: What are the latest products being launched by your company?

Crockett : New EcoQuik Products
• EQ 2053 is a new versatile product
with high packaged product perform-
ance that replaces laminate films on
health and safety product labels.

• EQ 3464 is a product designed for the medical market that requires medical fluids resistance such as medical wrist bands with double the resistance to products such as Bentadiene. ;