Evonik helps to reduce emissions

Emission limits for volatile organic compounds (VOC) are being lowered worldwide. Consequently, coatings formulators are increasingly limited in their choice of raw materials and hence their formulations. Tego VariPlus LK, the new grinding resin from Evonik Resource Efficiency, drastically lowers the VOC content in pigment concentrates for solventborne coatings and, therefore, in the total formulation. For the formulator, this means more formulation freedom, increased flexibility in the choice of raw materials and greater colour diversity. Because the grinding resin is liquid, dissolving is unnecessary, thus eliminating a production step.

Until now, pigment concentrates have generally had a high VOC content, which largely determines the final VOC content of coloured coatings. To reduce this high VOC content, Evonik has developed Tego VariPlus LK grinding resin. The resin reduces the viscosity of the concentrate thus permitting optimised pigment loading. Used in combination with Tego Dispers 676 dispersing additive, the VOC content in the concentrate can be lowered by up to 75%. For the overall formulation this means a VOC reduction of up to 100g/l when adding 20% concentrate.

"VariPlus LK is one of the first liquid grinding resins on the market”, emphasises Daniel Brünink, Director Global Marketing Decorative Coatings. "Up to now grinding resins have been supplied as granules, which have to bedissolved in a solvent. With VariPlus LK, formulators will be able to cut out this step.”

The new grinding resin is compatible with all common binders. Coatings properties are scarcely affected by pigment concentrates based on VariPlus LK.

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