Coating Technologies

Waterborne Coatings

Waterborne paints are one of the most rapidly growing technologies due to their appearance, performance, ease of application and clean up.  But also because waterborne paints are a greener, more compliant alternative to solvent-based paints.

The volatile organic compound (VOC) content of waterborne paints is substantially lower than conventional solvent-based paints, resulting in lower VOC emissions. Waterborne paints are composed of synthetic resins and pigments that are kept dispersed in water by surfactants. They sometimes contain small amounts of coalescing solvents. Waterborne paints dry by evaporation of the water. The coalescing solvents allow the resin particles to fuse together (coalesce) as the water evaporates to form a continuous coating film.

Waterborne Benefits:

• VOC emissions are significantly reduced.
• Waterborne paints are generally easier to apply and clean up.
• The paints offer excellent surface properties, including gloss, and rub resistance.
• Waterborne paints allow over-spray to be recovered and recycled, increasing transfer efficiency.
• Disposal requirements may be reduced, depending on local requirements.
• Dried waterborne paint waste may be disposed in landfills as non-hazardous waste.
• Health and safety requirements for workers are significantly reduced or eliminated.