Film Forming / Coalescing Agents for Coatings and Inks

Dapro® FX 511 by Elementis is a low odor coalescing agent. It is a strong solvent and plasticizer for polymeric particles which are based on polyacrylics, polystyrene-acrylics, polyvinyl acetates and other commonly used homo-, co- and terpolymeric dispersions.

• It is added to latex, plaster and dispersion paints in order to reduce the minimum film formation temperature and to facilitate the coalescence of the polymeric dispersion particles during drying.
• Dapro® FX 511 improves the scrub resistance of normal and high-loaded dispersion paints.
• Recommended dosage level is 0.2-2%.
• It has a shelf life of 3 years.

Luna-nol C-12 distributed by DKSH is a water-based coalescent and retarder solvent. It can enhance the performance properties of the paint and shows good film forming properties.

• It is designed for use in coatings such as architectural, automotive OEM (electrodeposition primers) and can and floor polishes.
• It is suitable for general industrial-, industrial maintenance-, marine- and industrial wood- & transportation coating applications.
• It is recommended for emulsion polymer systems like latex paints, coil coatings and baking enamels.
• It can be used in graphic arts & printing inks (lithographic and letterpress oil-based inks).
• It is available in USA, Europe and Asia/Pacific regions.

Luna-nol C-16 distributed by DKSH is an efficient, low-odor coalescent for all types of latex paints to enhance performance properties including low temperature coalescence, touch-up, and scrub resistance. It should be added in the letdown stage after the mill-base is finished.

• It is not classified as a VOC according to European Union Decopaint Directive 2004/42/EC.
• Recommended dosage level is 1-3% of the solid content of the latex polymer.
• Luna-nol C-16 is available in USA, Europe and Asia/Pacific regions.

DAPRO® BIO 400 distributed by DKSH is a bio-based solvent, a highly efficient replacement for glycol coalescence solvents, appears in a clear liquid form and provides superior performance and low odor. It offers an effective reduction of MFFT and a 100% biobased carbon content.

• It is recommended to use in water-based emulsion coatings for both interior and exterior applications, sustainable coatings, low VOC coatings, cleaners, paint strippers, adhesives and sealants applications.
• It is also used in can-, coil-, industrial-, decorative- and architectural coatings.
• Recommended usage level is 0.1 to 5.0% by weight, based on formulation.
• It has a shelf life of 2 years.
• DAPRO® BIO 400 is available in APAC region (Denmark, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Australia, China and Portugal).

2-PYROL™ by Ashland is a hygroscopic, biodegradable and reactive 2-pyrrolidone. It offers low vapor pressure, high flash point, high dipole moment, ready complex formation and surface activity. 2-PYROL™ is used as a humectant and cosolvent in digital printing inks and as a coalescent or plasticizer for acrylic resins, especially in inks.

M-PYROL™ by Ashland is N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone based polymer solvent and coalescent agent. It offers very good formulation latitude. It is highly resistant to hydrolysis from pH 2-10, even at elevated temperatures. M-PYROL™ is used for wire enamel coatings, paint, photoresist strippers and latex paints.

COL-236 by Eagle Specialty Products is a VOC-free coalescent, with superior performance compared to traditional alternatives in the CASE market. It offers a wide range of compatibility, features very low to zero odor, is not regulated for DOT shipping, improves moisture resistance, and is environmentally friendly. COL-236 is used in water-based coatings.

Q-456 by Hangzhou Qianyang Technology is a VOC-free film forming agent. It is used as a plasticizer for vinyl resins and synthetic rubbers Q-456 is used in water-based coatings and paints.

1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone by Hebei Kangzhuang Environmental Technology acts as a solvent and coalescing agent. It is used in alcoholysis reactions, electronic cleaning fluids, reaction solvents, and fluorination processes. 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone is suitable for dyestuff, pigments and printing ink.

Koalex™ MFX by LANXESS is a multifunctional low-VOC coalescent agent. It is developed to meet rising regulatory pressure on VOCs while improving key performance characteristics in waterborne coatings. It enables more efficient film formation at lower use levels, helping to optimize cost-in-use while enhancing application flexibility.

• It also promotes accelerated hardness development, allowing for faster early and long-term hardness build, which improves durability and reduces time-to-service.
• Additionally, it provides improved block and burnish resistance, enhancing resistance to tack, sticking, and surface marking so coatings maintain their appearance and performance in demanding environments.
• Finally, Koalex™ MFX increases in-can formulation robustness by improving overall in-can resilience, supporting more trouble-free formulations and enabling opportunities for optimized biocide use.