Hexion and Clariant forge strategic collaboration

Hexion, a global leader in speciality chemicals, and Clariant, a renowned intumescent additive supplier, are collaborating to develop cutting-edge intumescent coatings. This innovative partnership brings together Hexion’s expertise in VeoVa™ vinyl ester-based binders with Clariant’s industry-leading intumescent additives, aiming to optimise fire protection systems in critical applications. 

Intumescent coatings play a pivotal role in safeguarding lives and property during fire incidents by forming an insulating foam layer upon exposure to heat. This layer helps to maintain the structural integrity of buildings, providing occupants with crucial time to evacuate safely. 

“Our collaboration with Clariant signifies a significant milestone in advancing fire protection technology,” commented Jeroen Jansema, Vice President and General Manager of Versatics™ Acid and Derivatives business at Hexion. “By leveraging our VeoVa monomers and Clariant’s intumescent additives, we are optimizing vinyl-acetate based binders to enhance char formation and fire resistance, ensuring superior performance in critical situations.” 

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Key highlights of the collaboration include: 

• Enhanced Fire Performance: VeoVa vinyl ester-based binders offer superior fire performance compared to vinyl acetate/ethylene and acrylic-based systems. With higher VeoVa vinyl ester content, the efficacy of fire protection is significantly improved, doubling the protection duration over VeoVa vinyl ester -free alternatives. 
• Thin Coating Applications: Hexion’s innovative approach allows for thinner coating applications without compromising efficacy, addressing a critical market need for streamlined fire protection solutions. 
• VeoVa Vinyl Ester – rich Blending Resin: The development of a VeoVa vinyl ester -rich blending resin concept enables systems without VeoVa vinyl ester to improve fire resistance performance and hydrophobicity, providing versatility and efficiency in fire protection solutions. 

“Our joint efforts with Clariant have yielded remarkable results, demonstrating the unparalleled combination of high-performance, aesthetics, and ease of application in our technology,” added Jeroen Jansema. 

Remarked Martin John, Global Vice President Segment Coatings & Adhesives at Clariant, “This partnership underscores our shared commitment to innovation and safety, empowering us to deliver groundbreaking solutions.”