many cases, formulators may be able to reduce the overall costs
as well as formulation complexity by utilizing a silicone addi-
tive that can be added at half or even one fourth the level of an
organic additive for that same purpose. Even though a silicone
additives initial cost may be more, they are often high in actives
content and the low usage levels may save costs.”
Rich Letasi, product marketing group, Shamrock
Technologies, agreed that performance played a significant role
in choosing additives, as well as economic considerations.
“For Shamrock’s type of products, PTFE and specialty waxes, abrasion, rub, mar, scuff, and block resistance along with
water repellency are some of the key performance features.
Economics also come in to play. The right balance between performance and value must also be considered,” he explained.
Convenience, performance improvement, and assisting
the customer in capturing value in the market are of the utmost importance for formulators when choosing an additive.
Sustainability also remained a driving force for most customers.
“Low VOC regulations and low odor needs have put more
importance on the role of multifunctional additives to improve
the performance of today’s water based architectural coatings.
Low odor formulations are more important than low VOC in
most of the emerging markets,” MacDonald added.
Environmentally friendly options as well as safety are important to the future of the market as well as strong considerations
for Troy Company when choosing additives.
“Choosing performance additives that provide ‘green’ characteristics, such as minimized environmental persistence low
toxicity, and safe handling attributes will pay dividends over
time as environmental and safety regulations will become more
stringent in the future,” Smith said.
New Technologies
Expansions in technology for additives in paint and coatings
are being developed based on the changing needs and objectives
of the market. Shamrock Technologies has focused on special
requirements that require a generation of specialty additives.
“The paint and coatings industry requires specialty additives
that push the performance requirements beyond traditional
definition of coatings: high temperature resistance, long lasting
corrosion resistance, smart coatings stimuli responsive. These
are no longer Sci-fi topics, they are real business and emerging technologies,” said Alex Radu, product marketing group,
Shamrock Technologies.
Dow Corning Corporation is developing additives that can
reduce the overall cost and complexity of the formulation based
on the demands of the market.
“Many of our additives can be used to replace multiple
additives in a formulation,” explained Stange, “For example,
our recently launched Dow Corning 205SL Additive offers
both slip and leveling properties as well as hand feel and de-
foaming potential.”
Arkema Coating Resins’ use of organic rheological additives
is replacing inorganic agents.
“The main drivers for this technology shift are the better
performance in terms of viscosity stability, anti-settling and
sag resistance,” said Taillemite. “Furthermore with the current
trend to go to higher solids, organic additives should continue to
displace bentones which may not work as well with high solid
coatings and risk lowering application performance.”
Eastman Chemical Company saw a continued trend to-
wards compliance in terms of the latest technologies for addi-
tives. In addition to this, they saw a trend towards low odor and
emission, particularly in Asia Pacific and Europe, triggered by
certain limitations. This led to the development of an increased
interest in their low odor coalescent aid Eastman Optifilm en-
hancer OE300.
30 | Coatings World
www.coatingsworld.com
January 2013
