New-age Paint Thickening & Rheological Additives : Solvitex & Solvizen

For Paint Manufacturers worldwide, there hasconditions during its transit. A sudden drop & rise
come a radical new development in the legion ofin outside temperature can effect the stability.
Thickening Agents & Colloidal stabilizer forSolvitex has potentially proven to be stable under
Aqueous Latex Paints. So far most of thethose conditions.
companies producing aqueous Paint emulsions, theAmongst HEC, I personally find Cellosize of Dow
most preferred thickening agent was Hydroxyas the most stable product compared to
ethyl cellulose (HEC). The HEC based thixotropicBermocoll & Tylose.
additives is produced by some of the renownedMyself as Paint formulator & other colleagues
multi-national companies such as Hercules, Akzoworking in different companies had a dilemma
Nobel & Dow.existing for selection. For cheaper Paints the
Here we refer to a Biopolymer based onStronger product or High Viscosity grades were
Polysacchride derived from controlledused such but there always was a flocculation
derivatisation process from plant origin. Theafter some period on shelf storage. For the
product developed by Asian Trade Link ChemicalsExpensive ones we had to prefer Medium
Division in India has already been a successfulViscosities grade to overcome shelf storage time.
venture for replacement of HECs for many paintMost of the companies carry the same practice.
companies. The Product is known as SolvitexWhen I came across Solvitex range of
thickening agent & colloidal stabilizer.Thickeners I was given much competitive prices.
The solvitex range of products is offered in widePriced at least 10% lower than HEC based
range of viscosities of aqueous solutions. It comesProducts, but my major concern was to check
in Powder form of Offwhite color and thethe colloidal stabilization. The Product was
thickening properties are similar to HEC.immediately tested and was found to perform
But the Advantages of Solviex against HECs areexcellent.
many. The prime factor is the stability &Apart from that, Solvitex has provided better
economic pricing. Its been observed that for acolor acceptance & and coatabilty.
Medium viscosity range of products such asSooner we came across Solvizen developed by
Natrosol 250 HBR or Bermcoll 381 the intial dropthe same company for more economic &
after settling is by 20% and then the finishedcheaper Price. The thickening & stability properties
paint adheres to be stable for six months.and thewas the same but economically priced.
viscosity further drops. Solvitex has an initial dropHowever, The Water solution clarity of Solvizen
of settling to 10% and the product is stable inwas not as clear as of Solvitex or HECs. It was
physical observation for more than 1yearslight turbid. But when incorporated in Paints, we
exhibiting the same viscosity.couldn't find any difference. Again the Paint was
As known by many Paint technicians, its inevitablestable physically observed.
that the stability of thickening agent afterAs a Paint formulator from past 2 decades and
incorporating in the Paint system, is delicatebased on my experiences, I suggest to all those
towards wide temperature changes. Especiallytechnicians in the same field to try Solvitex &
applicable for Export shipments when the PaintSolvizen range of Thickening agents.
under goes through various temperature