New Differentiated Products
Might Be Disruptive As Well
A discussion with the
developers of two game-changing technologies.
by Phil Phillips, PhD
Contributing Editor
phillips@chemarkconsulting.net
In the coatings, paints, adhesives, sealants, plastics and specialty chemi- cals industries, Chemark often comes
across new product claims that appear to
be “to-good-to-be-true.” They usually are.
However, about five to 10 percent of
the cases the claims are not only accurate
but they are exciting and can be potential
“game-changers” in the market segment
arenas targeted. Such is the case with BenTech of Southern Pines, N.C., and Luminescent Paint Technologies (LPT) located
in Chicago, Ill.
Chemark sat down with the two company principles to discuss their technologies and marketing approach.
We asked LPT’s president and owner,
Dave Postma, a few questions about
their LPT-GLO product.
Q&A with Dave Postma,
president and owner,
Luminescent Paint
Technologies
Chemark: What is LPT-GLO and what
does it do?
Dave Postma: LPT-GLO is a single component urethane “glow-paint” that can
endure long-term weathering and vehicle
abuse loadings. It is a performance safety
coating. The product comes in a wide
array of UV stable daytime colors. It has a
visible color in the day and a six to 10
hour glowing color in the dark. The paint,
color and glow will last for years. It is a
product that will create limitless markets.
When the lights go out LPT-GLO goes on.
Chemark: You invented LPT-GLO but
why did you feel compelled to bring it to
market?
Postma: I developed the product when I
was asked to apply a luminescent product
on stairwells. This product had day colors
that faded within a few months of applications, as well as the paint itself immediately started to deteriorate. Within one
season the color had faded to almost
white, and more than half the application—at an astounding 22 mils which
took almost one month to cure—was
wearing or just plain falling off.
The primer was still there and in great
shape. I addressed this massive failure
with the company that made the luminescent paint. I told them that the paint
needed to be changed from an arts and
crafts resin system to another system to
survive the harsh conditions. After three
months the company told me it couldn’t
be done. So I decided to do it myself. I
went immediately to a urethane resin system for its versatility of applications, its
superior durability, flexibility, versatility
and fast cure time. In this new backbone
system, we found a greater “footprint”
bandwidth of markets and applications
not possible before.
Chemark: So the features that exponentially broadened the use “footprint” of luminescent coatings are what?
Postma: LTP-GLO has and maintains day
colors without UV fading; it withstands
severe weathering and heavy loading
abuse; and, with the proper primer can be
painted on virtually any surface. It has
quick dry and cure times. No other luminescent coatings do this today.
Chemark: What are some of the applications you see LTP-GLO economically fitting?
Postma: LTP-GLO creates new markets
that were not possible before its creation.
For example, we see many market applications. Here are several for consideration: Airport runways; marine
(ships/barges); mining (safety markings);
DOT striping/signage; heavy equipment;
emergency exits/stairwells; and safety
markings of any kind.
Chemark: How are you marketing LTP-GLO currently?
Postma: LPT-GLO is initially being marketed through licensees in the coatings industry. Luminescent Paint Technologies
(LPT) is an invention-oriented technical
company. We do not claim to be marketers or even connected to the marketplace in a knowledgeable way. There are
coatings companies in place who know
how to successfully move LPT-GLO into
the various niche markets.”
Chemark: How can interested potential licensee parties get in touch with you to discuss LTP-GLO further?
Postma: LPT can be contacted by calling
1-866-611-4569 (GLOW) or sending an
e-mail to postmapainting@yahoo.com.
Chemark also asked Ben Tech’s chief executive officer, Matt Dyer, a few questions
about their Preservor product line.
Q&A with Matt Dyer, CEO,
BenTech
Chemark: What is Preservor and what
does it do?
Matt Dyer: Preservor is our proprietary liquid product line that is highly effective at
inhibiting mold, odor and rust in a variety
of business sectors. Preservor is also effective at enhancing water removal from many
systems. The active ingredient is potassium
sorbate, a very safe and effective preservative which has been used extensively in the
food industry for almost a century. The
problem with potassium sorbate is it breaks
down and loses its effectiveness when it
comes in contact with moisture. Ben Tech’s
