Additives

Defoamers control and mitigate foam during various manufacturing processes. Foam, an undesirable accumulation of bubbles, can hinder process efficiency, disrupt the uniformity of coatings, paints, adhesives, and other formulations, and potentially lead to defects in the final product. Defoamers work by disrupting the foam stabilization process, either by promoting bubble coalescence or by reducing surface tension. Successful defoamers must meet specific requirements, including insolubility, low surface tension, positive penetration and spreading coefficients. Defoamers contribute to improved processing conditions, enhanced product quality, and overall operational efficiency by preventing or eliminating the challenges associated with unwanted foam.

• Defoamers, modified PDMS, mineral oils, and non-silicone, for water- and solvent-based coating and paint systems to eliminate foaming in the pumping, stirring, and grinding processes during production as well as the formation of foam when brushing, rolling, or spraying upon application.

Flow and leveling agents are used in coatings and paints, where achieving a smooth and even surface is crucial. These agents enhance the fluidity of coatings during application, allowing them to spread uniformly over a substrate. Flow agents help to minimize surface defects such as brush marks, orange peel, or streaks by promoting a more controlled and consistent flow of the coating. Leveling agents contribute to the reduction of irregularities in the coating, ensuring an even film thickness. The combination of flow and leveling agents results in improved appearance, reduced surface tension, and enhanced overall performance of coatings, making them indispensable in various applications, including architectural coatings, industrial coatings, and specialty coatings for optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes.

• Flow & leveling additives, modified PDMS and acrylic additives, to reduce the surface tension of the coating to improve flow and substrate wetting. Reducing surface tension helps to eliminate surface defects such as fisheyes and cratering.
• Non-ionic surfactants, ethoxylated alcohol, as substrate wetting agents.

Slip agents are designed to modify the surface properties of materials, providing a lubricating effect that reduces friction and enhances slipperiness. In coatings, slip agents contribute to the smoothness of the surface, preventing issues like blocking or sticking. They are especially valuable in applications where materials come into contact, such as coated paper or film. The incorporation of slip agents ensures ease of handling, prevents surface adhesion, and improves the overall performance of the final product. Whether in architectural coatings, industrial coatings, or specialty coatings, slip agents contribute to the tactile and functional qualities of the material, making them essential for achieving desired properties and enhancing the user experience.

• Fischer-Tropsch hard waxes for controlling open and set times, adjusting viscosity, and optimizing rheological behavior formulation while improving slip, scratch, and mar resistance. 
• Flow & leveling additives, modified PDMS and acrylic additives, to reduce the surface tension of the coating to improve slip and mar resistance.

Wetting and dispersing agents are important for formulations involving pigments, dyes, and solid particles. These additives improve dispersion and stability of these solid components within liquid matrices. By reducing the surface tension between the particles and the liquid phase, wetting agents ensure efficient wetting of the solid surfaces, promoting uniform distribution. Dispersing agents work to prevent agglomeration or settling of particles, enhancing the overall homogeneity of the mixture. In applications like paints, coatings, and inks, achieving a consistent and stable dispersion of pigments is essential for product quality. Wetting and dispersing agents contribute to optimal formulation performance, ensuring that solid components are effectively incorporated, leading to improved color development, coating quality, and overall product characteristics.

• Color boost additives improve color acceptance for ready-made dispersions and tinting systems. Benefits include stronger tints with the convenience of a post add solution in a wide range of base paints. VOC- and APEO-free.
• Compatibilizers to enhance the compatibility of colorants into many base chemistries, including universal waterborne colorants into solvent borne alkyd bases and resin-containing colorants into different base chemistries. Benefits include improved color acceptance and reduced pigment flooding and floating as a post add solution. VOC- and APEO-free.
• Dispersing additives designed to disperse organic, inorganic, and carbon black pigments. Benefits include better pigment wetting resulting in lower grind times, improved color strength, and improved transparency.
  
• Non-ionic surfactants, ethoxylated alcohol, for pre-wetting agents and dispersants.
• Stearates, magnesium and zinc, for anti-caking to ensure a free-flowing consistency.

Rheological additives influence the flow and deformation characteristics of various formulations. They are designed to modify the rheological properties of fluids, affecting their viscosity, flow behavior, and overall mechanical response. In applications such as coatings, adhesives, and sealants, rheological additives help achieve desired consistency, application properties, and final product performance. They can enhance the stability of formulations, prevent sagging or dripping, and improve the ease of application and spreading. By tailoring the rheological behavior, these additives contribute to optimal product performance, ensuring that the material behaves as intended during processing, application, and throughout its functional life. 

• Rheology modifiers, associative and non-associative, mainly for water-based coatings. Offering a full range of low to high shear polyurethane, acrylic, and zirconium complex thickeners to ensure optimal flow and leveling combined with anti-sag performance.
• Fumed silica, untreated/hydrophilic & surface-treated/hydrophobic, (KONASIL^®) for viscosity & thixotropic control, preventing sag, and reducing clumping & caking.
• Kaolin clay for rheology control.
• Stearates, magnesium and zinc, for thickening formulations.
• Fischer-Tropsch hard waxes for controlling open and set times, adjusting viscosity, and optimizing rheological behavior formulation in plastics.
• Talc products that serve as cost-effective thixotropes and flatting pigments for architectural coatings providing sag and slump resistance, anti-setting properties, and viscosity stability.

Biological control additives and preservatives are designed to inhibit the growth and proliferation of unwanted microorganisms in formulations. In industries such as paints, coatings, and cosmetics, where water-based formulations are common, biological control additives help extend the shelf life of the product by suppressing the development of bacteria, fungi, and other harmful microbes. By incorporating these preservatives, formulators can enhance the overall quality and safety of their formulations, ensuring that end-users receive products with consistent performance and longevity. The use of these additives aligns with industry standards for quality assurance and regulatory compliance, promoting the production of high-quality chemical products across diverse applications.

• Additives for microbial control for dry film and in can preservation for use in architectural, industrial, and specialty coatings.

Matting agents are used to control and adjust the gloss or shine of coatings, paints, and other formulations. These additives work by creating a microscopically rough surface on the coated material, scattering light and reducing its reflective properties which results in a matte or satin appearance. Matting agents are commonly used in applications such as paints, varnishes, and printing inks to achieve the desired level of sheen, enhance texture, and improve overall visual appeal. The selection of matting agents depends on the specific formulation requirements, and these additives contribute significantly to the versatility and customization of coatings across various industries.

• Calcined clays are specifically designed to lower TiO₂ levels, control sheen for maximum matte effect, and improve tint strength, touch-up, and scrub & burnish resistance.
• Diatomaceous earth (DE) can be used as paint pigment extender and flatting agent in paints and coatings.
• Fischer-Tropsch hard waxes as matting agents for control over gloss.
• Precipitated silica for coatings, paints, and varnishes to impart a matte finish to surfaces.
  
• Talc products can serve as cost-effective thixotropes and flatting pigments for architectural and industrial coatings providing sag and slump resistance, anti-setting properties, and viscosity stability.

Plasticizers are incorporated into plastics, rubbers, and other polymeric substances to modify their physical properties, making them more flexible, workable, and durable. Plasticizers work by reducing the intermolecular forces within the polymer matrix, allowing for increased mobility between polymer chains. This imparts greater malleability, improved elongation, and enhanced resistance to cracking or brittleness. Commonly used in the production of PVC, elastomers, and various polymer blends, plasticizers contribute to the versatility and functionality of a wide range of end products, including flexible films, coatings, and molded items in industries such as construction, automotive, and packaging.

• Plasticizers for viscosity modifiers and plasticizing effects.

Flash rusting is an immediate and undesirable oxidation that can occur on metal surfaces before a protective coating fully cures or dries. Flash rust inhibitors function by forming a protective barrier on the metal substrate, inhibiting the corrosive effects of moisture and atmospheric conditions. These inhibitors are used in applications such as paint and coating formulations for metals to ensure the longevity, appearance, and performance of the coated metal surfaces. By mitigating the risk of early-stage rusting, flash rust inhibitors contribute to the overall effectiveness and durability of coatings, providing long-lasting protection to metal structures and products.

• Heucoflash^TM products are a solution of organic and inorganic compounds and salts for flash rust inhibition. These products are VOC free and are commonly used in combination with anti-corrosive pigments.

Catalysts act as initiators or accelerators in chemical reactions, facilitating the conversion of reactants into desired products. In polymeric systems, catalysts play a crucial role in polymerization reactions, enabling the creation of polymers with specific properties. Whether it's promoting curing reactions in adhesives, accelerating chemical transformations in the synthesis of specialty chemicals, or ensuring efficient cross-linking in resin systems, both driers and catalysts are indispensable for controlling the pace and outcome of chemical processes in the industry. 

• Driers to expedite the drying or curing process of formulations leading to improved film formation, reduced drying times, and enhanced overall performance of the finished products. 
• High-performance catalysts, cobalt replacements, are cobalt-free curing additives for all types of oxidatively drying resin systems. Benefits include improved drying and non-yellowing performance compared to conventional driers and extending the coatings season window by providing consistent curing performance in all weather conditions (hot or cold, dry or humid) for short, medium, and long oil alkyd systems. Meets stringent regulatory requirements as cobalt-free solutions.
• Metal carboxylate catalysts, bismuth & tin for urethanes.

Specialty additives address specific challenges or enhance particular characteristics in end products. From advanced polymers to coatings, specialty additives play a crucial role in achieving desired outcomes such as improved performance, enhanced durability, or unique functionalities. Examples include additives for UV stabilization, adhesion promotion, conductivity, and insulation, each serving a specialized purpose within specific applications. The versatility and specificity of specialty additives make them valuable tools for formulators and manufacturers aiming to meet precise requirements and deliver innovative solutions in a wide array of industries.

• Hollow ceramic microspheres with high temperature resistance (MP > 1800 °C) for thermal insulation, compressive resistance, and acoustic insulation.
• Stearates, magnesium and zinc, can be used as release agents during the production of molded goods, lubricants during plastics manufacturing, and waterproofing agents for coatings.
• Moisture scavengers for improved storage stability and dehydrating pigments, fillers, and solvents in the production process of a wide variety of coating systems.
• Adhesion promotors, oil-free polyester resins, for improved adhesion to metal and metallic pigments.
• Silanes (amino, multifunctional, water-based) for adhesion promotion.
• Anti-blocking agents, colloidal silica dispersion, to prevent adhesion of adjacent film layers during processing and storage of clear polyethylene and polypropylene films.
• Fischer-Tropsch hard waxes for anti-blocking agents in coatings.
• Diatomaceous earth (DE) can be used as an anti-blocking agent in the production of clear polyethylene and polypropylene films.
• Anti-skinning agents to prevent formation of skin on coatings, adhesives, and other formulations. Multiple products and chemistries for flexibility in meeting regulatory requirements for in-can skin formation in alkyd coatings.