Sachtleben, the synthetic barium sulfates specialist, has introduced for powder coating producers a functionalized barium sulfate—Sachtoperse EP. Sachtleben's special barium sulfate particles are inert, and are less abrasive than the extenders most frequently used, such as calcium carbonate and ground quartz, the company said. Their tailor-made surface modification improves the resistance of powder coating systems to chemicals. The combination of the particles and the binder is achieved by means of a complex organic surface coating. Sachtoperse EP, the permanent protecting ingredient for powder coating systems, is currently undergoing its global market launch.