Green Technologies

Exhibitors go ‘Green’ for ICE 2007

The increasing interest in the environment is a driving force behind many new technologies

By Tim Wright • Editor

In line with ICE 2007’s theme, “Clean – Lean – Green,” exhibitors are excited to showcase their environmentally friendly technology and discuss their thoughts about the role of green technology in the present and future coatings industry.
    
At this point, green chemistry and green technology are in the earliest stages of adoption, according to Ray Fahmy, manager, North America, biocides, ISP. “Over the past five or six years, the movement to ‘green’ products has been gathering momentum primarily in the building and construction industry,” he said. “However, growing consumer awareness and environmental sensitivity are pushing ‘green’ consumer paints and coatings out of their niche status into more general acceptance. In the increasingly competitive market for such products, green technology and chemistry must become integral to the operations of paint and coating companies, which in turn must develop new technologies and processes that will provide performance equal to or better than that of less environmentally friendly materials.”

“At the recent Canadian Paint and Coatings Association meeting, the increase in consumer demand in Canada and elsewhere for coatings that are safer, made from sustainable resources, provide anti-microbial protection and create less hazardous waste was mentioned in every presentation,” said David Faherty, vice president, marketing, Troy Corporation. “We are positioned to meet these expectations because of our significant early investment in product development to produce the water-based broad-spectrum dry-film preservatives, Polyphase 678 and Polyphase 663, and in-can preservative Mergal K10N. These products are safer to use than solvent-based products while improving anti-microbial performance and reducing the VOC content of paint. Based on our global presence, we have multiple product development sites where a number of broad-spectrum VOC dry film and in-can preservatives based on green technology are in various stages of commercial development. The demand for green technology is here to stay and will be a fundamental driver for new product development.”

“Over four decades ago, King’s initial entrée into the coatings industry can be attributed to fulfilling the need to cure the then, new high solids resins developed in the late 1960s and 1970s to reduce VOCs,” said Bob Burk, marketing and communications manager, King Industries. “Even today, our NACURE and K-CURE catalysts for amino thermoset resins remain a mainstay of our business, while new technologies and products have been developed to offer more environmentally acceptable products without the toxicity concerns associated with what could be described as industry standards.”

King is introducing its K-KAT XK-604 at the show. “This is an extremely viable alternative to mercury catalysts widely used in urethanes and cast elastomers,” Mr. Burk said. “This new catalyst not only provides a cure profile similar to Hg catalysts with good latency before snap curing but costs approximately 50% less and has none of the environmental and toxicity concerns associated with its mercury counterparts. It is this type of ‘green’ technology that drives our research and development efforts and will into the foreseeable future even more so as industry standards become more green.”

Lower VOC emissions are a must for water-based coatings formulators, according to Carlos Gonzalez, marketing manager, aerosil, Degussa. “However, performance standards cannot be compromised relative to solvent-based coatings,” he said. “Aerosil can help you achieve the performance standards of the many rigorous applications today while complying with environmental regulations. Among the benefits are suspension behavior, dispersibility of pigments, pigment stabilization, adhesion, corrosion protection, and water and abrasion resistance.”

KW Container has been a clean, lean and green company for more than 25 years, although KW Container and its recyclable plastic containers have only been on the scene for nine years. “The new ‘green’ technology we provide includes containers made from 100% recycled content that are 100% recyclable,” said Brian McDaniel, national director of sales, KW Container. “We also provide our customers assistance in recycling programs for their used containers, which enables us to reclaim the resin and make new containers.

“KW is the only container company that can provide a closed loop container program utilizing resources and technology already in house,” continued Mr. McDaniel. “Green is in and will continue to play an increasingly larger role in manufacturing, packaging design and cost-effective reclamation of valuable re-useable materials.”

Lubrizol offers a range of products in low VOC formulations, including resins and polymers, hyperdispersants and surface modifiers. “This makes this year’s ICE theme very important to us,” said Dan Latas, marketing manager, resins and polymers, Lubrizol. “We’re displaying many of the products from our portfolio that emphasize our commitment to the theme. The coatings industry has long been focused on incorporating ‘green technology’ and having this theme reinforced at ICE 2007 further demonstrates our industry’s commitment at a time when the topic is taking center stage.”

With the increasing focus on low-VOC and VOC-free paint and coatings products, Lanxess is highlighting its products that help manufacturers meet consumer demand for more environmentally friendly coatings. “The material protection products business has increased the number of VOC-free and low-VOC biocides and preservatives that effectively inhibit the growth of microorganisms in paints, coatings and related materials,” said Oliver Kretschik, market manager, Lanxess Corporation. “This business is focused on being a solutions provider, including increased regulatory resources to meet the demands of REACH and the BPD in the EU and demand for ‘greener’ chemistries in the U.S.

The functional chemicals business will showcase its microgranulated organic and inorganic pigment preparations that are self-dispersing and solvent-free. The inorganic pigments business will highlight the advantages of its iron oxides and chrome oxide green pigment.”

As an equipment vendor, Myers Engineering can provide design and process suggestions that can help chemical manufacturers improve the environmental friendliness of their mixing stations, according to Cathy Strahan, marketing director, Myers Engineering. “Reduced mixing time equates to reduced energy use, plus solvent and wastewater recovery or reduction can impact economic and environmental concerns,” she said.

Troy Corporation is doing everything possible to reduce the ‘carbon footprint’ of its operations and the specialty products it makes and sells from sourcing raw materials, to formulating water-based dispersions, minimizing warehousing and distribution, and consolidating facilities, according to Joe Galimi, director, U.S. sales, Troy Corporation. “While we initially design all new products with the ultimate performance in mind, they do not become commercially viable formulations without meeting a rigorous set of environmental, health and safety standards,” he said. “We are also working closely with folks to make recycled paint a more popular option for consumers.”