PCI recently spoke with Steve Ridge, Senior VP Supply Chain and Manufacturing at Elementis, to get his views on the company's experiences, challenges and successes during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their outlook for the market and business strategies moving forward.

Evonik has received the 2020 Ringier Coating Technology Innovation Award for its AEROSIL® Fumed Silica Dispersion VP. Disp. WF7620, a new rheology control dispersion designed specifically for waterborne systems.

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) is a multi-functional additive for coatings, adhesives and sealants, with a pronounced effect in improving rheology, stabilization and surface properties.

With RHEOBYK-7610, BYK has succeeded in developing a rheology additive which, in addition to the familiar properties, generates a specific viscosity profile.

Klucel MS is a hydroxypropyl cellulose rheology modifier for use in inorganic, zinc-rich primers.

Special clays have successfully demonstrated their use as rheological additives in paint and coatings systems. Sepiolite, attapulgite and smectites make up a particular silicate subgroup in the clay family. All of them, under the appropriate processing conditions, produce gel structures that are capable of behaving as shear thinning and thixotropic fluids.

Evonik Industries is expanding its capacities for fumed silica in Rheinfelden, Germany.

BYK-P 2710 (Thixbreaker) is designed for epoxy resins, and BYK-P 2720 (Thixbooster) for the corresponding amine hardener component.