Press Room
November 6, 2006
ICE 2006: Cognis presents sustainable coating solutions for improved performance
End users today increasingly choose environmentally sound solutions, but preferably without compromising on performance. To meet this demand, coatings manufacturers are constantly looking for solutions that combine these characteristics. At this year’s International Coatings Expo (ICE) in New Orleans, Cognis’ Polymers, Coatings & Inks (PCI) business unit showcased several of its environmentally responsible, high-performance solutions in the field of consumer and industrial coatings, including the VOC-free rheology modifiers DSX 3020 and 3515, the Versamine S range of curing agents, and the FoamStar A-45 defoamer.
One important result of the trend towards environmentally sound coatings is the rapidly rising demand for coatings with low or zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions. In DSX® 3515 and DSX® 3020, Cognis has developed innovative associative thickeners that help formulators meet this demand. In addition to being VOC-free, DSX 3515 improves sag resistance, tint compatibility and viscosity loss on tinting, thus meeting further major demands of coatings manufacturers. The thickener provides improved applied film build, minimal roller spatter, and good scrub resistance. It is recommended for use in paints with low or zero content of VOCs in which performance quality is critical, such as exterior and interior trade sales coatings for both brush and roller application. DSX 3020 offers excellent high shear viscosity build for single-coat application with best-in-class flow and leveling properties.
Cognis’ Edenol® EFC-100 emission-free coalescent is also made from renewable raw materials. As it does not vaporize, the coalescent not only reduces a paint’s VOC emissions, but even improves key performance properties like scrub resistance, gloss values, color acceptance and development. A large-scale study on weathering behavior of exterior paints containing Edenol EFC-100 has recently been completed, showing that the coalescent provides excellent performance in outdoor applications. Therefore, Edenol EFC 100 is recommended as an alternative for use in many architectural and industrial applications that currently call for high-boiling coalescents which contribute to VOC emissions or unacceptable odors.
Bisomer® PEMCURE 12A is a caprolactone modified version of Bisomer HEA. The hydroxyl acrylate caprolactone adduct is an ideal capping agent for UV-curable urethane acrylate oligomers. Such urethanes are suitable especially in UV-curable wear layers on PVC and parquet flooring and offer versatility in UV-curable printing inks for food packaging applications.
Another product recently launched in the North American market is Cognis’ Waterpoxy® range of water-based epoxy coating systems. It was developed in response to the construction industry’s preference of water-based coatings. They are easier to handle, present a significantly lower health risk, and are more environmentally compatible than other products, as they reduce the release of VOCs into the atmosphere. Waterpoxy systems are aimed at construction and civil engineering applications and provide high-performance protection against corrosion. Waterpoxy 751, for instance, is a water-dilutable solvent-free curing agent for protective coatings as well as for civil engineering, that is virtually amine-free. The biggest advantage of Waterpoxy 751 is its versatility, making it suitable for the formulation of primers, coatings and also medium thickness self leveling floorings.
Sustainable coatings for extreme conditions
Modern protective coatings used in marine and civil engineering applications must be usable under very demanding conditions: they need to cure quickly, even at low temperatures and in all kinds of weather, and adhere even to imperfectly prepared substrates. At the ICE, Cognis presented its patented Versamine® S (speed) range. These curing agents are made from renewable raw materials and enable the development of high-solids epoxy coatings that are easy to apply and quick to cure even at low temperatures, thereby ensuring that equipment can be quickly put back into service. They are fully compliant with all applicable legal requirements and feature improved viscosity, 100-percent solids content, and low VOC emissions. Versamine S solutions are economical in production and consumption and combine a high level of protection with environmental sustainability and low toxicity.
The ICE also saw Cognis present FoamStar™ A-45, a new defoamer featuring Cognis’ FoamStar molecule compounded with polysiloxanes in a mineral oil-free system. It is effective in difficult-to-defoam gloss formulations, and provides excellent persistency while maintaining the gloss effect. The patented FoamStar molecule effectively inhibits foam formation on a molecular level, thanks to a unique, extremely effective mechanism which provides substantially faster bubble break times than would be possible with conventional mineral-oil defoamers. Moreover, it also has wetting capabilities not found in other defoamers. Foamaster A-range defoamers are particularly suitable for use in environmentally sound, VOC-free coatings, demonstrating that there is no contradiction between performance and sustainability.
Anticipating demands to create competitive advantages
Cognis’ business strategy is driven by the company’s knowledge of consumer demands, which enables manufacturers to develop products that serve the current and future trends of their markets. In particular, Cognis has made the decision to concentrate on the sustainability, convenience and wellness trends and is focusing its innovation efforts on these areas. Comments Francois Gallouédec, Business Manager Coatings, Resins & Additives of Cognis NAFTA: “The products that Cognis has exhibited here at the 2006 ICE help our customers to both fulfill regulatory requirements and anticipate the direction in which the market is heading. By enabling customers to profit from emerging trends, we give them the competitive edge they need to succeed in their markets.”
About Cognis
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients, with a particular focus on the areas of wellness and sustainability. The company employs about 8,000 people, and it operates production sites and service centers in 30 countries. Cognis has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Another main focus is on products for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, textiles, as well as agriculture and mining. The company holds a 50-percent stake in the joint venture Cognis Oleochemicals, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of oleochemicals.
Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and SV Life Sciences. In 2005, Cognis recorded sales of 3.18 billion euros and an Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and exceptional items) of 356 million euros.
Contact
Francois Gallouédec, Business Manager, Coatings Resins & Additives
NAFTA Cognis Corporation
Phone: +1-215-628-1444
E-mail: francois.gallouedec@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com
Joy Bryant, Corporate Communications Manager
Cognis Corporation
Phone: + 1-513-482-3855
E-mail: joy.bryant@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com