Foam control has always been a challenge in the coatings industry. Unlike many other industries that only need to control foam during the manufacturing process, coatings must be designed to perform over a potentially long product shelf life so that the end user can open a can of paint and apply it without bubbles that can contribute to defects in performance and detract from the overall appearance. The need for short- and long-term efficacy is a challenge, as defoamers are often formulated to prevent production or application foam, but not both. In recent years, this challenge has been magnified as coatings formulations evolve in response to stricter environmental standards that limit the level of VOCs.
As the industry continues to move toward low- or zero-VOC coatings, there is an increased tendency to form micro foam, a more stable foam that is more difficult to eliminate. In addition, shorter open times in these formulations require defoamers to be more fast-acting. Raw material suppliers and coatings manufacturers need to stay one step ahead of the regulations and market trends in order to design products that are acceptable and provide effective solutions ready to match changing market needs. What worked yesterday may not necessarily work as effectively with today’s newer formulations.