Jun 3 2008
At ACS 2008, Celanese Emulsion Polymers debuted exciting new eco-friendly technology to support manufacturers of coatings looking to satisfy the growing 'green demand' from consumers, meet more stringent regulations and obtain green certifications. Celanese also highlighted new high performance technology for 'high scrub' interior paints and exterior masonry paints. The major announcement by Celanese at the show was the introduction of its new EcoVAE(TM) line of vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE) emulsion polymers. Known as "the most environmentally friendly VAE emulsion on the market today," EcoVAE emulsions have been designed to meet the needs of North American coatings manufacturers for high quality, low to no VOC, environmentally friendly paints.
According to Craig Mitchell, marketing manager for paints and coatings for Celanese Emulsion Polymers, the new products, industry involvement and recent investments by the emulsions business demonstrate the company's strong commitment to the North American coatings marketplace. “In the past few years, Celanese Emulsions has greatly increased its involvement with the various industry organizations including NPCA, CPCA and PDCA, to name a few, in order to better understand our customers and their needs,” Mitchell said. “We have been investing in our manufacturing facilities in the United States and Canada to improve our production processes and better service our customers. We opened the new Celanese Houston Technology Center earlier this year to expand our application and development capabilities and help paint manufacturers accelerate the time to commercialization. Finally, we have the investments in our growing product range that represent some of the leading technologies for paint-making available today. Moving into the future, Celanese plans to lead the emulsion polymer industry with continued innovation and investment in the coatings sector in order to help our customers capitalize on emerging opportunities.”
EcoVAE: The future of environmentally friendly coatings
The major announcement by Celanese at ACS 2008 was its new EcoVAE vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE) emulsion technology. This new line of products offers a wide range of features that can be configured into benefit packages by paint manufacturers to meet the growing needs of their customers including DIYers, contractors, homeowners and specifiers in response to more stringent legislation and a blossoming demand for environmentally friendly products. The first product in the new line, EcoVAE 401, offers specific advances in wet edge, touch-up performance, scrub resistance, and hallmark low odor and low to no VOC formulation capability. EcoVAE 401 is versatile and can be used in a range of architectural interior paints from premium decorative DIY to highly functional contractor grades. It is synthesized to be free of alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APE) and will assist coatings manufacturers, architects and the construction industry in achieving 'green' certifications.
Enhancing performance
Celanese also highlighted two other products at ACS 2008 aimed at increasing performance in specific applications. Newly introduced RESYN 7480 is a vinyl acetate/acrylate copolymer emulsion that can be used to formulate “high scrub” flat, eggshell and semi-gloss coatings for high-traffic and frequently washed areas, such as kitchens and hallways. Laboratory tests showed as much as a 40% improvement in scrub cycles with RESYN 7480 when compared to other leading vinyl acrylic emulsions. The high molecular weight vinyl acrylic emulsion delivers an effective blend of durability and performance characteristics to interior coatings and is free of APEs. Additional performance advantages include excellent stain resistance, washability and good hiding.
Celanese also highlighted Celvolit™ LDM 2456, a vinyl acetate/ VeoVa™/ acrylic emulsion that can serve as an excellent foundation for both architectural DIY and contractor paints. Celvolit LDM 2456 is ideal for exterior masonry paints because of its excellent alkali and efflorescence resistance. It also features good durability and weathering characteristics. In addition, Celvolit LDM 2456 can be used in textured coatings and plasters for interior uses.
“We're very excited about EcoVAE and the other technology we have discussed at this year's American Coatings Show,” Mitchell said. “But even more, we are looking forward to working collaboratively with our customers across North America in putting our new products to work in their paint formulations. At Celanese, our goal is meet the challenges of the marketplace and to help drive value into our customers' products by advancing coatings technology, including improving the environmental profile. We're going to continue to invest in this region and in the coatings industry globally in order to become an even more valuable product development partner to our customers. There isn't a challenge we don't think we can tackle if we work together.”