The European Technical Coatings Congress (ETCC), will take place from September 3 - 5, 2014 at the Gürzenich in Cologne. It will look at the way new functions and enhanced sustainability will have a key impact on the future development of paints and coatings.
Supplier of raw materials for high-performance polyurethane coatings and adhesives, Bayer MaterialScience will be giving three presentations at this event. The focus will be on the latest sustainable developments involving the formulation and application of coatings.
Polyurethane coatings are very durable, which ensures long-lasting protection for valuable items in everyday use. They also help conserve resources that are needed to manufacture the steady flow of new products. Significantly reducing the content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) enables a high level of occupational safety to be achieved and also benefits the environment. This satisfies key requirements relating to the performance and environmental compatibility of coatings.
Analyzing technical solutions throughout the value-added chain can further optimise sustainability and social acceptance. Using renewable raw materials is one possible way of further reducing carbon footprints.
"In addition to this property, renewable raw materials are part of the trend toward more sustainable products," explains Dr. Gesa Behnken, who represents a ten-strong research team at Bayer MaterialScience.
"Progress in the field of biotechnology offers additional possibilities for their increased use. What’s more, many of the substances that have become accessible as a result of this progress have not been available through petrochemical sources in the past. Bio-based substances thus open up completely new opportunities for product formulations," she continued.