BREAKING NEW GROUND
DSM talks us through the process of developing a new resin for self-matting floor coatings that they say provides higher product performance, aesthetics and sustainable credentials.
in the testing of the self-matting resin prototypes. The final SP- 2022 XP resin was launched in March 2019, and – so far – is meeting the needs of stakeholders across the value chain.
ENABLING NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR
FORMULATORS Above all, the unique proprietary technology behind the Decovery SP-2022 XP resin facilitates coating systems that are quick and easy to formulate, driving the practicality of the overall coating process. In particular, the self-matting resin enables coating formulations without supplementary matting agents and additional process steps. This leads to fewer operational and formulating mistakes, as well as up to one-hour time savings in operations compared to other commercial alternatives.
TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN
FLOOR COATINGS Over the past few years, consumers have been progressively drawn to low-gloss and matt finishes to achieve a chic, modern-feel aesthetic. In the floor coatings market, in particular, there has been a growing demand for ultra-matt coatings that both protect and beautify the natural qualities of wooden and seamless flooring substrates.
Nevertheless, until recently, many commercially available matt floor coatings have been coming up short on functional performance while having a high environmental impact, as well as being difficult to process and requiring labour- intensive formulation. In particular, floor coaters using commercially available matt solutions would typically experience a range of problems, including overlap marks and polishing issues, while end-users would have to manage low stain and scratch resistance.
THE RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY To address the strong market demand for a resin that would enable superior ultra-matt floor coatings, DSM wanted to deliver an innovative product and open a new horizon in self- matting coatings. By undertaking deep field research into the precise demands of the floor coatings market, DSM was able to identify the exact qualities and performance parameters the new matting resin product would need to integrate.
In 2016, a multidisciplinary team within DSM Resins & Functional Materials began developing a self-matting coating resin for wood and seamless flooring that would make formulations quicker and easier, while also outperforming conventional coatings on the functional, aesthetic and environmental performance. In order to optimise the development process, DSM kept market demands top of mind at all times, and involved customers and floor coating applicators
twitter.com/TContractFloors SUPPORTING THE CHALLENGES
OF APPLICATORS While the coating formulators are key stakeholders in the overall coating process, ultimately it is the end performance and usability of the product that will enable consumer demand and drive market uptake. The avoidance of matting agents means Decovery SP-2022 XP leaves no roller or lapping marks, helps avoid polishing issues, and enables spot repairs, unlike many of the commercially available alternatives.
Moreover, the resin is chemical-and stain-resistant, as tested to DIN 68861 part 1B, which demonstrates good removal after testing of coffee, water, tea, ethanol, and cleaning agents. It also offers mechanical- and scratch-resistance, excelling in taber shear and scratch performance tests with forces greater than 2N, as well as Black Heel Resistance Mark tests. These showed that sustainable alternatives with low carbon footprints can compete functionally with more conventional, less sustainable coating resins for the floor market.
LEVERAGING
SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY What’s more, to drive the sustainability value of its self-matting resin, DSM decided to leverage the technology of its Decovery platform. This family of paint resins contains nearly 50% plant- based content, enabling a carbon footprint reduction of up to 34% compared to alternative coating systems.
As a result, DSM’s Decovery SP-2022 XP resin is environmentally friendly, containing 30% bio-based content, and is low in VOCs (less than 5%) and odour. This makes it a healthier and more sustainable alternative to many of the commercially available coating resins around the world. The resin is compliant with Ecolabel, Nordic Swan, The Blue Angel (Der Blaue Engel), and AgBB labeling, keeping floor coating formulations aligned with – and in some cases ahead of – the demands of regulatory authorities.
www.dsm.com PRODUCT FOCUS: SCREEDS, RESINS & COATINGS | 25
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