Industry News

WACKER Unveils VAE Dispersion for Eco-Friendly Interior Coatings

WACKER recently launched a new dispersion in the Asia-Pacific region that is ideal for formulating high-performance interior paints with reduced emissions.

The vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymers (VAE)-based VINNAPAS EP 3360 ULS offers high opacity, binding power, and stain resistance, even without coalescing aids, according to the company. It is highly scrub resistant and displays strong response to thickening agents.

Moreover, the dispersion is manufactured without the use of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO), and its VAE basis can make supplementary plasticizers unnecessary.

As a result, the new dispersion enables the formulation of low-odor and very-low-emission interior coatings with excellent performance and cost-in-use benefits.

How the Dispersion Works

The dispersion is a novel binder for flat to eggshell interior paints and plasters of low environmental impact. The product offers high scrub resistance and a better hiding power than standard acrylic systems at the same pigment volume concentration (PVC) level, according to the company.

The VAE dispersion also delivers high stain resistance and good washability, which means that the resulting paint film is easier to clean, without impairing the appearance of the paint. Additionally, it displays good color acceptance and color consistency, even with difficult-to-formulate pigments.

The dispersion’s workability and ease of application allow rooms to be used again very quickly, minimizing the downtime of a building. The binder’s scrub resistance not only increases performance but also cuts costs. This is because the binder usage can be reduced by raising the PVC level, proportionally.

Additionally, the product’s high solids content of 60 percent enhances supply chain efficiency by decreasing delivery frequency and the amount of silo space needed.

Complies With Global Eco-Label Requirements

Specifically developed to meet requirements in the Asia-Pacific region, the dispersion enables the formulation of low-odor paints that have a very low volatile organic compounds (VOC) content of less than 1 g/L (0.13 oz/gal). The product has a very low residual monomer content (less than 200 ppm), and it does not need organic solvents or coalescing agents to achieve optimum film formation.

Furthermore, the dispersion is produced without the use of APEOs and features very low formaldehyde (less than 20 ppm). Its odor profile is noticeably more subdued, especially compared with standard styrene acrylic or vinyl-acrylic technology.

As VINNAPAS EP 3360 ULS complies with major international eco-labels, it is particularly suitable for places where low-emission paints are essential, including children’s rooms, hotels, and public buildings, such as hospitals and schools, according to the company.

For more information, contact: WACKER, (517) 264-8239, www.wacker.com