ELMWOOD PARK, NJ - According to a new study by the consulting firm Kusumgar, Nerlfi & Growney, consumption of the five leading additives for coatings and inks was 1.72 billion pounds, worth $3.47 billion in 2009. Included are rheology modifiers, foam-control agents, wetting agents, dispersants, and slip-and-rub materials. Volume was down 10 percent compared to 2008, with North American and European usage down the most. Additive consumption in the Asia-Pacific region was off a more modest three percent, as growth in China and India partially offset the declines in Japan and South Korea. A five percent annual rate of growth is forecast for global additive consumption through 2014.

 

Rheology modifiers are the leading additive type with 39 percent of the 2009 dollars. Cellulosics, WB synthetics, fumed silicas and organoclays are the leading rheology modifiers. Foam-control additives edge out dispersants for second in value in 2009 with the bulk used in WB paints. Dispersants were 17 percent of the dollars and range from highly specialized polymeric types to higher-volume polyacrylic acid varieties for architectural paints.

 

Slip-and-rub additives were fourth in value and are comprised of wax products and silicones. Most slip-and-rub additives are consumed in coatings, but they are the largest additive employed in inks. Wetting agents were 11 percent of the volume and 12 percent of the value in 2009. A wide variety of types are used with alkoxylated surfactants, acetylenic glycol derivatives, silicones and acrylics the leading types.

 

The information is contained in Kusumgar, Nerlfi & Growney’s study, Global Coating & Ink Additives, which is available through subscription. Visit www.kusumgar-nerlfi-growney.com for additional information.