For the last few years, the do-it-yourself (DIY) market for home improvement materials has grown rapidly, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the use of low-gloss matte paint has become popular with consumers. The end-use customer desires a robust paint that is easy to apply and maintain.
The low gloss levels in a matte paint are typically achieved using powders such as fumed silica or calcium carbonate, which require dust mitigation equipment and PPE for workers handling these materials. Furthermore, matte finishes are prone to burnishing, and interior paints require scratch and stain resistance. Currently, the industry uses various additives to attain the required performance. This article discusses how one water-based additive can provide low-gloss matte paint with the needed performance properties without dust mitigation or worker PPE.