LANXESS Builds Low Carbon Green Road for the Coatings Industry with Quality Works Solutions

11.28.17

LANXESS presented sustainable coating solutions at CHINACOAT2017.

Specialty chemicals company LANXESS showcased a comprehensive range of environmentally friendly solutions for the coatings industry at CHINACOAT2017 with its four business units. At its over 100 square meters booth, the exhibits included a variety of sustainable and innovative inorganic pigments; preservatives and fungicides to protect paints and coatings; Urethane system products used in special coatings, adhesives, textile sizing and other fields; and colorful solvent-free pigment preparations and colorants used in inkjet printing, and stationery inks.

According to the World Paint & Coatings Industry Association (WPCIA), from 2014 to 2018, the world's compound annual growth rate of paint production will remain at about 5 percent. With the development of China's urbanization and equipment manufacturing industry, as well as the rising level of per capita income, the Chinese market’s demand for high-quality coating products is steadily on the increase. In the first half of 2017 alone, China's coating production increased by 11.7 percent year on year.

At the same time, although China is by far the largest producer of synthetic iron oxides, with over 50 percent of total global supply, the number of production locations for synthetic iron oxide pigments has been decreasing steadily for several years. This is a result of the consistent implementation of environmental regulations by both pigment manufacturers and the pigment processing industry. The number of production locations has dropped by half since 2008, resulting in a reduction in supply, particularly in the segment for red pigments. With the deepening of structural reforms on the supply side, this consolidation process is likely to continue.

Mr. Ming Cheng Chien, CEO of LANXESS Greater China said: "For decades, LANXESS has been actively responding to the needs of the Chinese market and the escalating environmental regulations. We set an image of high-quality and sustainable development in the coating industry by implementing high standards of products, processes and technologies to provide reliable products for customers. We will continue to abide by the principle of "Good for business, good for society." to create lasting value for customers, partners and the community, and improve the quality of life."

Outstanding product characteristics meet the high demands of the coatings industry
One of LANXESS’s highlights at this year’s exhibition was the launch of the new generation of iron oxide red pigments on the market. After an intensive testing phase, the Inorganic Pigments (IPG) business unit has successfully concluded the market introduction of its New Red pigments, manufactured by the Ningbo process. This new generation of iron oxide pigments is a perfect addition to the top-selling range that LANXESS has been manufacturing by the Laux process for over 90 years at its Krefeld-Uerdingen site. All the New Reds fulfill the high quality demands of the paints and coatings iindustry and deliver high chromaticity and tinting strength..

All of the new Bayferrox grades are produced at the site in Ningbo, China. The high-tech plant for manufacturing synthetic iron oxide pigments uses what has been dubbed the “Ningbo process.” Based on patented technology, this uniquely sustainable manufacturing method meets the most stringent environmental standards and covers the entire color spectrum of iron oxide pigments in the mid and yellow-shade red color range.

Another highlight of LANXESS at CHINACOAT2017 was the Preventol Next product range, which represents the pioneer of dry film biocides and the most innovative technology. According to the company, the range of products features the best chemical stability, leaching behavior, ecological toxicity, resistance to fading and biological effects,  and is a quality innovative dry film biocide technology. LANXESS provides sterilization solutions for architectural coatings that help coating manufacturers achieve sustainable protection of quality coatings, minimizing material waste, human health impact and environmental damage.

Leading Urethane Systems solutions
With the completion of the acquisition of the U.S.-based Chemtura Corporation this April, the urethane business of the company was incorporated into the Urethane Systems business unit established by LANXESS, which is a world leading manufacturer of hot-cast prepolymer and special, aqueous urethane dispersions with decades of technical experience. The urethanes business unit showcased the Witcobond range of aqueous urethane dispersible resin with a 60 percent solid content for special coatings, adhesives and textile sizing to help Chinese producers significantly increase efficiency. In addition, the company showcased the low volatile organic compound (VOC) Trixene water-based blocked curing agent products that meet the environmental needs of customers. This product range is widely used as a waterproofing agent for coating of water-repellent clothing.

Brilliant environmentally friendly coatings
As environmental requirements generally get stricter these days, the environment-friendly coatings have great market potential. LANXESS also showcased a number of innovative solutions with environmentally friendly features from the Rhine Chemie business unit. For example, the Levanyl LF and Levanox LF aqueous pigments, and Bayscript colorants for inkjet and stationery inks offer a wide variety of brilliant colors while meeting environmental regulations and the latest ecological requirements.

In addition to presenting the latest products and processes, LANXESS invited industry experts to carry out technical exchanges, and share the latest technologies within the industry. Ms. Christine Kathrein, head of Global Product Development, LANXESS Inorganic Pigments business unit, demonstrated how the color of iron oxide can be precisely adjusted through expanding the color spaces of iron oxide reds and how the color can be improved with controlled parameter settings. Mr. Chen Zhenping, customer service Manager, LANXESS Technology Market, shared his experience in how to balance coating sterilization and health protection in the field of sustainable protection of building materials.