BMS Develops New Generation of Polyol Dispersions for Low-VOC PUR

Tag : Coatings

Pittsburgh -- The outstanding properties of polyurethane coatings have made them an up-and-coming segment of the coatingsmarket. The coatings industry's challenge now is to significantlyreduce the VOC levels in these coatings without sacrificing highproperty levels. Bayer MaterialScience LLC (BMS), a leader incoatings raw materials, has addressed this challenge by developingtechnology for the design of waterborne two-component (2K) polyurethane coating formulations with low emissions, yet the same reveredcuring speeds and high protection levels as their solventbornecounterparts.
In addition to their low emissions of organic solvents, waterborne2K polyurethane coatings are characterized by rapid curing at lowtemperatures and a good balance of resistance properties, filmappearance and mechanical strength. However, a challenge arisesfrom the fact that waterborne coatings in many cases lag behindsolventborne systems with respect to drying speed. To combat thisissue, BMS is developing new generations of polyol dispersions for2K polyurethane systems that exhibit improved physical drying andaccelerated chemical curing.
Christoph Irle, BMS AG, discussed these innovative formulations inhis poster presentation: Waterborne 2K PUR Coatings on the FastTrack. Irle, along with BMS co-authors Aaron Lockhart, Scott Graceand Ed Squiller, presented their overview at the recent 2008American Coatings Show and Conference in Charlotte, N.C.
The new generation of highly reactive polyol dispersions developedby BMS allows for the design of waterborne 2K polyurethane coatingformulations that exhibit significantly faster drying thantraditional systems. This innovative solution greatly increases theproductivity of low-VOC 2K polyurethane systems, opening the doorfor potential new markets, including site-applied, industrial andfast running roll-to-roll applications.
"Rapid growth in the 2K polyurethane coatings market is beingdriven by legislation, but also by end users demanding low solventemissions and low smell," said Irle. "Bayer's new generation ofpolyol dispersions will help pave the road to success for 2K waterborne polyurethane technology, and the continuous development of improved polyols andpolyisocyanates will influence new market standards inenvironmentally friendly high-performance coatings."
The presentation highlighted a new proprietary technology thatincludes an internal activation of the chemical reaction betweenpolyisocyanate and polyol. The resulting reaction is completedsignificantly faster, while end properties and importantapplication parameters such as viscosity and pot life are not negatively affected.
The authors explained that this new technology has already beensuccessfully implemented to accelerate formulations at low curingtemperatures, and to increase productivity of coatings processesunder forced drying conditions.
Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers ofpolymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is partof the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 15,400employees at 30 sites around the world and 2007 sales of 10.4billion euros. Business activities are focused on the manufactureof high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovativesolutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The mainsegments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics,construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Ourinorganic basic chemicals unit produces chlorine and relatedessential products for the chemicals industry.
Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is a subsidiary ofBayer AG, an international health care, nutrition and innovativematerials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. In North America,Bayer had 2007 net sales of 8.1 billion euros and employed 16,800at year end. Bayer's three subgroups, Bayer HealthCare, BayerCropScience and Bayer MaterialScience, improve people's livesthrough a broad range of essential products that help diagnose,prevent and treat diseases; protect crops and enhance yields; andadvance automobile safety and durability.
This may contain forward-looking statements based on currentassumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroupmanagement. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties andother factors could lead to material differences between the actualfuture results, financial situation, development or performance ofthe company and the estimates given here. The company assumes noliability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements orto conform them to future events or developments.
Source: Bayer MaterialScience