The recent Western Coatings Show in Las Vegas featured an exhibit hall packed with new technology for coatings formulators. Below is just a sampling of some of the raw materials and services showcased.

Albert Invent

Albert Invent showcased its Worksheet product.

• Brings all of scientists’ data, formulas and materials into one connected command center;
• Integrates with the full R&D ecosystem;
• A true replacement for Excel, with an extensible database sitting behind it;
• Enables even greater IP protection, fewer experiment iterations, and increased cost savings;
• Reduces errors and fosters greater collaboration.

Arkema

Arkema introduced two new waterborne resins:

ENCOR^® 5650 all-acrylic, self-crosslinking, nanoparticle-size latex designed for clear and pigmented concrete coatings.

• Adhesion over cement and quarry tile substrates;
• Blush resistance over a variety of substrates;
• Flexibility and durability to endure exterior application;
• Excellent QUV stability;
• Meets EnVia^® standards and is produced without APEO, benzophenone, formaldehyde or PFAS, and has a total latex VOC <5 g/L.

ENCOR^® 650 highly versatile, 100%-acrylic resin for exterior architectural coatings, masonry, and interior wall coatings

• Durability;
• Water resistance;
• Efflorescence resistance in cured cementitious products;
• Scrub and stain resistance;
• Ambient temperature block resistance;
• Surfactant leach resistance;
• Meets EnVia^® standards and is produced without APEO, benzophenone, formaldehyde or PFAS, and has a total latex VOC <5 g/L.

Mallard Creek Polymers

Mallard Creek Polymers (MCP) introduced a series of vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) emulsions and redispersible powders, enhancing its offerings to meet the growing demand for these essential materials. VAE emulsions offer a versatile foundation for formulating high-performance products across a wide spectrum of applications. VAE redispersible powders find application in various construction materials, including tile adhesives, grouts, finishing plasters, troweling compounds, thin-set mortars, and sealing slurries. Benefits of VAE include:

• Good adhesion to a wide variety of substrates;
• Good film-forming properties;
• Environmentally friendly: low odor and low VOCs;
• Tough, flexible films;
• Excellent filler acceptance.

Micro Powders

Micro Powders, Inc. showcased several new natural and PTFE alternative products.

NatureTex^® is a line of naturally derived, biodegradable additives for matting and surface texturing.

• Available in four particle sizes;
• Offer a range of haptic effects;
• Provide efficient gloss reduction and burnish resistance;
  

NatureMatte^® C44 is an ultrafine cellulose powder.

• Provides gloss reduction in all types of inks and coatings;
• Offers film clarity for clear coatings on wood and other substrates ;
  

MP-28AL is a value engineered composite of biodegradable synthetic wax and aluminum oxide.

• Provides high surface lubricity with rub and scratch resistance;
• Is an economical alternative to PTFE combination powders;
  

PolyTuf^® 1229 is a high-performance composite of low-density polyethylene and ceramic.

• Combines the toughness and durability of LDPE;
• Unsurpassed improvement in abrasion resistance;
• Ideal for higher COF coating applications such as flooring and walking surfaces.

Orion S.A.

Orion spotlighted several new sustainable carbon blacks for coatings, including three new circular grades – one for high jetness, and two for tinting applications.

XPB 10045 circular gas black.

• Based on pyrolysis oil to support the transition to a circular economy;
• Designed for high-jetness applications;
• Compatible with all suitable coatings systems;

XPB 10042 powder and XPB 10049 powder circular furnace blacks.

• Based on pyrolysis oil;
• Designed for tinting applications;
• Offer the same advantages as the high-jetness black;
• Application properties similar to currently used specialty carbon blacks.

X-Rite Incorporated

X-Rite showcased the latest color measurement and appearance solutions for a sustainable workflow to help coating manufacturers accelerate color formulation, ensure an accurate color match, avoid color rejections, create digital material renderings, and improve customer satisfaction. The company displayed the latest color measurement and appearance solutions for every stage of the design to production process, including:

• Color measurement and specification with X-Rite spectrophotometers;
• Virtual prototyping – PANTORA™ software creates virtual prototypes by leveraging spectral and imaging data to render original paint and coating color and texture onto a 3D model;
• Formulation – Color iMatch delivers optimal initial color matches, reduces wasteful formulation attempts, and optimizes pigment costs;
• Production and quality control – Maintain, compare, and analyze production color to the standard, ensuring it stays in tolerance from formulation through shipment.