BASF Kaolin showcased Mattex® PRO at this year’s Western Coatings Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mattex® PRO can be used to replace Diatomaceous Earth (DE) in architectural coatings formulations. Calcined kaolin is frequently used as an opacifier to extend more costly pigments, while improving both the performance and appearance of coatings.  According to Jan Jeffries, Sales Director, Kaolin - Americas, BASF Kaolin strives to bring new technology to the architectural coatings market.

DE is known for its excellent matting properties and its ability to control gloss and sheen. It has been used in architectural products for decades, despite the fact that these flatting agents have very high oil absorption levels which can negatively impact stain resistance.

This challenge led BASF Kaolin to develop Mattex® PRO – an extender that provides the benefits of DE type matting agents while improving stain and scrub resistance.

“One of our newest calcined kaolin technologies is Mattex® PRO,” said Kyle Essenmacher, Technical Service Specialist – Americas, BASF Kaolin. “It is uniquely structured to provide very high scrub and burnish resistance while maintaining excellent hide. The very low sheen and gloss make Mattex® PRO ideal for paints that require excellent touch-up properties.”

There are a number of reasons why formulators choose Mattex® PRO as an extender. The product is crystalline silica free, features extremely hard particles, and has a unique particle size distribution for flatting, hide and tint strength.  In addition, it also offers excellent scrub and burnish resistance.

“Beyond just the product, the real value as a supplier of kaolin is having the entire BASF product offering,” noted Jeffries. “You get a holistic solution from a collaboration of experts that is not available anywhere else.”

For more information about Mattex® PRO and BASF Kaolin you can email kaolin@basf.com or visit www.kaolin.basf.com.