At the European Coating Show 2009 in Nuremburg (March 30-April 1), DSM NeoResins+ announced the launch of a new range of waterborne

2-component (2K) polyurethane coatings that are completely solvent-free and deliver high gloss, body and filling performance. DSM featured three new product introductions at the show: NeoCryl® XK-531, NeoCryl ® 541, and NeoCryl® XK- 555 which are designed for metal applications and are the company’s first high gloss and solvent -free waterborne 2K PUR resins.

DSM developed the new range of high gloss products through a combination of their expertise and technologies in solvent borne acrylics and waterborne acrylic emulsions. The new process is based on an optimization of ‘secondary emulsion technology’ that enables the production of solvent-free waterborne 2K PUR resins.

The new non-VOC emulsions allow high blister free film build coatings that enable the creation of ‘Perfect Layers’. Because they contain no solvents, they also offer greater freedom to paint manufacturers in their formulations. This allows formulators to make paints with a solvent content of less than 100g/l, whereas until now waterborne 2K paints have had solvent contents of 200 g/l or more. These new products will therefore make it possible to reduce VOC emissions by as much as 50%. This is combined with excellent performance and appearance characteristics, comparable to those of solvent borne 2K polyurethane systems.

Another strong advantage is that paint formulators have freedom of choice over the particular solvent they use with the isocyanate, allowing them more flexibility to determine the drying time, production speed, and flow properties, as well as providing more control over the cured coating end product properties such as hardness.

“Our commitment to sustainability and innovation is core to our continued success, and our ability to leverage different technologies within our business to develop this new range of high gloss, non-VOC, eco-friendly products is enabling us to expand and grow our footprint in different markets”, said Sjaak Griffioen, Business Director at DSM NeoResins+. “These new waterborne 2K products produced with this novel process allow our customers to reduce emissions, improve the application process and improve the properties of the resulting paints”.