The European Coatings Show provided attendees the opportunity to learn about the latest technology in the industry. This article provides a glimpse at some of the advancements and new solutions presented at this year’s event.

PCI recently asked Holger Hüppeler, Head of the Inorganic Pigments (IPG) business unit at the specialty chemicals company LANXESS, some questions about his first 18 months in his new role, trends in the pigments market and the future direction of the business unit.

In recent years, the focus has been on the development of durable and sustainable coatings, looking for solutions that would support the transition from fossil to bio-based products with equivalent performance.

The introduction of energy-curable polyurethane dispersions (UV PUDs) to complement the traditional radiation curing technology profoundly changed the market landscape by bringing coating performance and sustainability to the next level of requirements.

MCEC aims to outline the benefits of microbial control and how it is needed to protect and prevent paints from breaking down during storage and losing viscosity, texture and adhesion ability.

Despite a shrinking preservative toolbox, there are still a diverse range of biocide options available to formulators.

The demand for durability as well as for water-miscible products and those that generate little or no VOC has resulted in the launch of a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS), offered initially to customers in Europe and introduced this year in Asia.

Intelli-ion offers a safer, smarter way to replace traditional toxic chemicals and heavy-metal-containing substitutes. It can be easily incorporated into existing coating products, and could even enhance certain coating properties.

With this powder coating technology, manufacturers can lower operational costs, increase end-product value and provide a mechanism for meaningful differentiation.

Research and development related to lignin continues to take place, and business opportunities are identified in the renewable materials market.