ELMWOOD PARK, NJ - According to a new study by the consulting firm Kusumgar, Nerlfi & Growney, consumption of five of the leading additives for coatings and inks in 2013 was 1.02 million tons, as supplied, worth $4.66 billion. A 5% annual rate of growth is forecast through 2018. Included are rheology modifiers, foam-control agents, wetting agents, dispersants, and slip and rub materials.
Rheology modifiers are the largest additive type representing nearly 40% of the tons in 2013. A wide variety of rheology modifiers are used depending on a product’s technology and the properties required. Cellulosic, synthetic and inorganic are the major rheology modifier categories. Dispersants are the second-largest additive in volume with one-fifth of the tons. They range from high-volume polyacrylic/polycarboxylate types for titanium dioxide and fillers in waterborne architectural paints to highly specialized polymeric types for specific pigment use.