Ashland helps formulate coatings to meet market demands with groundbreaking innovation – offering unsurpassed hiding, superior flow and leveling and consistency across the color palette.

For more than six decades, Ashland has delivered technical solutions to leading manufacturers of paints and coatings. Ashland is highlighting its comprehensive solutions for waterborne industrial and architectural coatings during CHINACOAT.

Aquaflow non-ionic synthetic associative thickeners (NSATs), for high-performance waterborne paints and coatings, build rheology through self-association and interaction with other ingredients. Easy-to-handle Aquaflow liquid rheology modifiers are based on hydrophobically-modified polyacetal-polyether (HM-PAPE) chemistry and are often drop-in replacements for urethane-type (HEUR) thickeners.

In waterborne latex paints, Aquaflow XLS NSAT grades improve the usability and efficacy of paints and coatings.  They deliver virtually drip-free application, better viscosity retention after tinting, and provide outstanding flow and leveling to paints and coatings.  This helps eliminate brush marks and enhances applied hiding, enabling fewer coats while achieving beautiful, lasting finishes.

Natrosol and Natrosol Plus represent the most widely specified thickener brand for waterborne coatings.  They are non-ionic, free-flowing powders that are based on hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC).  Natrosol offers pseudoplastic or shear-thinning characteristics, biostability and best-in-class color compatibility for waterborne paint applications.

Drewplus foam control agents are non-ionic blends of hydrophobic silica, silicones and paraffinic oil, and are formulated for use in water-based coatings. These highly efficient foam control agents offer easy incorporation and quick bubble break performance, with excellent persistence and compatibility. Because Drewplus functions as an air release agent, it is particularly effective on microfoam in spray-applied industrial coatings.

“Growing environmental awareness and stringent legal regulations are driving increased demand for waterborne coatings in China,” said William Zhao, general manager, Ashland Specialty Ingredients Greater China. “Replacing solventborne coatings with high-performance waterborne alternatives offers many advantages, including reduced solvent exposure and less hazardous waste disposal. Ashland’s comprehensive portfolio of rheology modifiers and specialty additives can help simplify the manufacturing process and deliver key functional benefits to industrial and architectural paint and coating formulations.  Our solvers are committed to creating chemistries that enhance performance efficiency and enable customers to manage stricter environmental standards.”

To learn more about how Ashland solves industry challenges with sustainable, effective, innovative solutions for the coating industry, visit www.ashlandchina.com.