The proportion of aqueous formulations used in the coatings industry has been steadily increasing for over thirty years. What started out as regionally limited projects to reduce housing emissions has since developed into a global trend that extends to almost all areas of application. As things stand, over half of all coatings are water-based, and it is generally expected that this segment will continue to see above-average growth. BYK recognized this trend at an early stage and has led the field for decades in developing suitable additives. Additives for water-based applications are also the highlight of BYK’s presentation at this year’s European Coatings Show (ECS) in Hall 4A, Stand 314b. One focal product here is the new defoamer, BYK-1786.

The new BYK-1786 defoamer is a defoamer emulsion. The additive removes any micro foam that might appear in the coating with complicated application methods such as spray coating (HVLP), airless and airmix applications. This form of delivery enables BYK-1786 to be incorporated more easily and dosed better. It is especially recommended for pigmented and non-pigmented architectural coatings, general industrial, anti-corrosion, wood and furniture coatings, floor coatings, adhesives, sealants, care products, and polishes. The additive is VOC and APEO-free and has no impact on transparency, haze, and cratering.


Carsten Nagel, Head of Global End Use Decorative Coatings at BYK, will deliver a special lecture on this product on today, March 19, from 11:10 to 11:30, in Hall 4, Booth 4-214.

In other numerous BYK presentations taking place during the ECS in three different exhibition halls, a broad range of products and services will also be showcased – from automotive coatings via BYK’s regulatory expertise to additive applications in the wood and furniture coatings industry.

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