May 2024 Newsletter-Sustainability at the American Coatings Show and Conference

Key takeaways from this newsletter (full version is at www.polarischemical.com):

·        Sustainability was a major theme at this year’s American Coatings Show and Conference.

·        Sustainability of the environment was addressed in talks on the development of biobased raw materials, biodegradable raw materials, cool coatings, and the replacement of solvent-based coatings with water-based coatings.

·        Protection of human health and the environment was tackled in presentations focusing on biocide-free raw materials and replacements for fluorochemicals.

·        Formulators should take a holistic approach when removing hazardous materials from their formulations. 

Sustainability was a major theme at this year’s American Coatings Show and Conference held in Indianapolis April 30-May 2.  Sustainability as it relates to the coatings industry does not have one standard definition.  Most coatings companies and suppliers have sustainability statements which include environmental, health, and social aspects, along with initiatives to ensure the long-term viability of the company.  Environment and health were the pillars of sustainability addressed at the American Coatings Show and Conference.

Regarding the sustainability of the environment, conference talks and show floor presentations focused on biobased materials, biodegradable materials, cool coatings and water-based alternatives to solvent-based coatings:

Biobased Materials.  Many presentations were focused on the use of biobased materials which are renewable and therefore considered sustainable.  Biobased materials was a big supplier theme at the European Coatings Show in 2023 and that emphasis continued at the American Coatings Show in 2024. Conference and show floor talks included presentations on biobased polyols for polyurethanes, biobased binders, biobased surfactants, carbon dioxide based polyols for polyurethanes,  and biobased monomers for  sustainable polymers.

Biodegradable Materials.  Surprisingly, the area of biodegradable materials did not receive much attention in Indianapolis.   Deurex reviewed their biodegradable waxes, which are not necessarily biobased.  Deurex sees the use of biodegradable waxes as one step toward the elimination of microplastics in coatings. 

Cool Coatings.  Temperature increases globally will lead to an increase in cooling demand which could lead to an increase in greenhouse gases.  Reduction of energy use can have a positive impact on the environment. Cool coatings can help reduce energy consumption and a few presentations were centered on cool coatings and fillers that can lead to higher reflectivity in a coating.

Water-based Alternatives to Solvent Based Coatings.  Of course, moving from a solvent-based to a water-based coating will also benefit the environment as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are eliminated.  Dura introduced an acrylic/cationic latex stain blocking latex that could facilitate the transition away from solvent-based alkyd architectural coatings.

Health is another one of the cornerstones of sustainability which was addressed at the American Coatings Show and Conference.  There are industry efforts underway to minimize the use of biocides and fluorosurfactants which can have adverse effects on human health and the environment.

Biocide-Free Thickener.  Dow launched their biocide free thickener  Acrysol RM-735BF, a KU builder which also contributes to low and high sheer viscosities.

Fluorochemicals.  As for fluorochemicals, the EPA set limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water earlier this year, which makes work on substitution of fluorinated compounds especially timely.  Of course one of the ways to eliminate a fluorinated compound is to replace it with a workalike and numerous presentations dealt with the replacement of fluorochemicals.  Lubrizol, Micropowders and Clariant  gave presentations on the replacement of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).  Also of concern is finding replacements for water soluble fluorosurfactants which are often used for block resistance in water-based coatings.  Those additives function by migrating to the surface and creating a loose boundary layer which prevents two coated surfaces from sticking together.  Block resistance is more difficult to achieve in softer coatings which often result from efforts to reduce VOC levels.  Rhodoline HBR was showcased as a surfactant which can be used instead of fluorosurfactants to achieve hot block resistance.

Formulators should not rely solely on the development of innovative workalikes when removing hazardous raw materials from their formulations.  For example, an additive like Rhodoline HBR can assist in achieving hot block resistance without fluorosurfactants but formulators must take a holistic approach to achieving that property.  The additive approach to achieving hot block is used to overcome the softness of a coating, and formulators should focus on improving the softness of the coating in addition to incorporating an additive which creates a loose boundary layer at the coating surface.  It is the resin/coalescent combination which is most responsible for film softness.  Emerald Kalama (now Lanxess) realized that coalescents can be multifunctional and described new coalescents that can be used for improved hot block resistance at the 2019 Coatings Trends and Technologies Conference.  Latex polymers imparting improved block resistance can be achieved by control of particle morphology and/or crosslinking.   The construction of latex particles with a core/shell morphology is a well known way of achieving block resistance in a coating.  For example a core/shell emulsion  polymer with a first stage glass transition temperature (Tg) of about 50 degrees C and a second stage Tg between -30 and 10 degrees C imparts improved block resistance to coatings (U.S. Patent 7,285,590 B2).  Judicious selection of the coalescent and latex used in a water-based coating, in addition to the use of a surface modifying additive, can help achieve acceptable hot block resistance.

The sustainability movement is gaining momentum in the U.S. and will be a driver of innovation in the coatings industry.  Environmentally friendly raw materials and coatings are increasing in their numbers, and strategies for the elimination of compounds hazardous to human health and the environment are being developed.  The new materials being developed and promoted will help formulators create more sustainable coatings.  Formulators should take a holistic approach when addressing the elimination of hazardous raw materials from their formulations to achieve the best results.

Polaris Chemical Consulting LLC provides consulting services to those seeking expertise in the coatings and chemicals areas.  With our extensive knowledge and experience in chemistry, coatings, research, and product development, we provide insights and solutions to help our clients succeed.  www.polarischemical.com