You may not know it, but a paintโs ability to โhideโ is among its greatest attributes. Currently, TiO2 (Titanium dioxide) is the key to paintโs capability for covering up whatโs underneath it. Without Titanium dioxide, paint would just smear on a wall โ and covering up that Blue with red, white, blue, or green would not be possible. It is the foundational component of every type of white house paint we use today. So whatโs the problem? Well, TiO2 has gone about as far as it can in terms of how efficiently it can be used โ and, on top of that, itโs not exactly an endless resource.
Dow Evoque Pre-Composite Polymer Technology
Thatโs where Dow Chemicalโs โCoating Materialsโ business unit (DCM) decided to step in. They developed Evoque Pre-Composite Polymer Technology. What is it? Well, Dow claims itโs a completely new development in paint formulation that will solve the problem of hiding and the use of Titanium dioxide (TiO2). Evoque works by improving the distribution of particles and the light scattering characteristics of Titanium dioxide. This means the white base paint can hide better โ even when using 20 percent less TiO2. There are some added benefits too, like a stronger paint that can better withstand corrosion and stains.
Editorโs Note: How Does This Help Make Paint Better?
First off, itโs important to understand that Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the foundation of all the worldโs white paint. This is because it allows the paint to be very โwhiteโ and has a highly refractive nature, so you can make all the other colors from it by adding pigments. If it has a limitation, itโs in the area of โuneven distribution of particlesโ. This limits the paintโs ability to hide or cover up whatโs underneath it. Adding more TiO2 helps, but there is a level of diminishing returns and thus a โbrick wallโ that you hid with regards to hidability.Dowโs Evoque Pre-Composite Polymers actually attach to all surfaces of the TiO2 particles in the paint. Together, the TiO2 is now able to spread out better and work more efficiently.
Stronger One-Coat Paints
So with paint that can be made more efficientlyโit now can use less TiO2 and hide just as well. Alternatively, using the same amount of TiO2, paint can be given more effective hiding properties. That means weโre going to see even stronger paints that can be used in โone-coatโ applications in ways we never before thought possible (imagine painting white over dark blue, for example, in a single coat with no priming required). Green advocates will like the fact that less TiO2 use, means less mining and less energy use for paint production overall (remember, a majority of paints have the intended goal to be made as efficiently as possible, rather than having excellent or maximum hiding characteristics).
Third-Party Testing and Release
So whatโs next? Dow is conducting a thorough analysis of the durability and life expectancy of the paint right now, to be tested by third parties. This will allow them to understand and detail the exact benefits and expected life-span of the new Evoqueย Pre-Composite Polymer Technology paint formulation. Once this is done, we should see either lower cost paint options or higher profits for paint manufacturers which should, at the very least, turn into more advances for consumers โ and thatโs good too.
Dow is working to commercialize the paint (ready it for mass production) by the third quarter of this year and anticipates distributing the new Evoque Pre-Compositeย Polymerย Technology by 2012. Weโll see it first in exterior acrylic paints.
