In the coatings business Rhodia’s main position has been as a supplier of surfactants for emulsion polymerization to latex manufacturers. More recently the company has moved into the paint additives arena for interior architectural coatings, helping their customers to develop products that are incrementally greener with high levels of performance.

“We’re targeting low and zero VOC paints,” said John Foley, vice president industrial formulations, Rhodia Novecare. “The market is growing based on both regulatory drivers and consumer preference.”

At ACS 2010 Rhodia is highlighting its zero-VOC, APE-free performance additives for waterborne coatings, especially Rhododline OTE and Rhodoline FT-100.

“Open time is an issue with low and zero VOC paints,” said Foley. “Traditional waterborne formulations have an open time of approximately eight to 10 minutes whereas their solventborne counterparts have an open time of 15-20 minutes. The newer low and zero VOC paints have open times of as little as zero to two minutes.”

Rhodoline OTE is a zero-VOC, APE-free novel line of additives for extended open time in waterborne coating formulations. “Originally designed for paint formulations that contain a minimum amount of solvent, Rhodoline OTE actually yields a substantial two- to four-fold increase in open time in both waterborne and standard formulations,” said Foley. It also provides benefits such as improved gloss, scrub resistance and stain resistance.

Rhodoline FT-100 is a zero-VOC, APE-free freeze-thaw stability additive that stabilizes waterborne soft latex-based paints upon freezing during transportation, storage and application. “Rhodoline FT-100 addresses the latex coagulation issues of low-VOC paints based on soft binder polymers and, whether added either to the binder polymer or during paint formulation, it provides a finished paint that passes five cycles of freeze-thaw stability,” said Foley.

Rhodia is also highlighting Rhodoline defoamers and Rhodoline WA wetting agents. Rhodoline defoamers deaerate formulations and provide foam control for an improved mixing efficiency and reduced production time. They continue to work during packaging, including high-speed operations, where they minimize air entrainment and foam formation. During paint and coating application, Rhodoline defoamers remove bubbles and ensure smooth, uniform films.

Rhodoline WA wetting agents for paint formulations provide wetting yet low foaming characteristics. Rhodoline WA products present low static surface tension and unusually fast dynamic surface tension, thus, promoting quick and efficient wetting and stabilization. These products are derived partially from renewable raw material and based on environmentally friendly APE-free, zero VOC chemistries.

Additionally, at the show Rhodia is debuting its new eco-friendly evaluation approach to help customers better understand and choose sustainable products for coatings that meet Green Seal criteria. Each product is evaluated on several criteria related to sustainability, such as zero or low-VOC, APE-free, biodegradability, and renewable resources.

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