Wacker, the Munich-based chemical company, will be introducing its new dispersible polymer powders under Nexiva product line at this year’s European Coatings Show.

“Thanks to these dispersible polymer powders, manufacturers can now produce interior wall paints in powder form,” the company said in a statemente and added: “The technology does not require the addition of biocides and offers key advantages when it comes to storing and transporting paints.”

The 2019 European Coatings Show will be held in Nuremberg, Germany, from March 19 to 21.

Most wall paints are produced using water-based binders or raw materials. When used in paints, however, water provides a favourable environment for microbes and bacteria. In order to kill these organisms, the paints are typically formulated with biocides to make them last longer. According to the German Paint and Printing Inks Industry Association, one in four buckets of paint will spoil unless preservatives are added. That translates to eleven million buckets per year, at a cost of €470 million ($532 million).

There is a problem with biocide use, however: once the paint has been applied to the wall and begins to dry, liquid components evaporate, allowing biocides to escape into the air. In some people, biocides can trigger allergic reactions upon inhalation or skin contact.

Paint containing Nexiva in powder form (left) and redispersed with water (right)

By developing Nexiva, Wacker has now created a technology for the production of biocide-free paints. At the 2019 European Coatings Show, the Munich chemical group will present a product line based on spray-dried polymeric binders suitable for producing interior wall paints in either liquid or powder form. Paint manufacturers can use Nexiva to create individual paint formulations, just as they can with traditional binders in dispersion form, the statement said.

“Powder paints remain stable, even without the addition of preservatives. Water for redispersing the paints is not added until just prior to application, thus eliminating the need for adding biocides during production. As the paint dries, all that evaporates is water. Thanks to the polymers, the paint adheres well and has good spreading properties. In addition, paints are easier to transport and store when they are in powder form, as they weigh less, for instance, and can be packaged differently from liquid paints. Unlike traditional wall paints, powdered versions do not freeze in the cold, nor do they thicken when exposed to heat,” it added.

Wacker will be unveiling the first products from its new Nexiva line over the course of 2019.

Wacker will be devoting a total of 240 sq m of floor space to solutions for paints, coatings, construction and adhesives applications at the 2019 European Coatings Show. More than 70 experts will be on hand at Booth 1-510 in Hall 1 to discuss the products and their applications with interested parties. Making a new appearance this year will be the Wacker Forum, right beside the main booth. Here, 30-minute presentations aimed at an international specialist audience will be held on technology, trends and innovations under the motto “Let’s talk about...”

Wacker is a globally-active chemical company with some 13,800 employees and annual sales of around €4.9 billion ($5.5 billion) (2017). Wacker has a global network of 23 production sites, 21 technical competence centres and 50 sales offices.