The performance additive market has seen tremendous growth in recent years and is expected to continue to gain strength. One of the driving factors has been a move away from single-function additives and a push towards multi-functional products. Manufacturers are reformulating, looking for the replacement raw materials that will provide cost savings and improve performance while reducing the number of additives needed.
By no means an exhaustive list, some sought after features include:
- Microbial control
- Defoaming
- Abrasion resistance
- Surface property control
- Durability
- Flame retardancy
- Hydrophobicity
- Adhesion
- Gloss
- UV protection
- Pigment dispersion
- Viscosity adjustment
Working with formulation experts, manufacturers are looking for products that can serve multiple purposes. For example, a flooring manufacturer may seek out a single additive that can provide abrasion resistance, hydrophobicity, durability, and pigment dispersion. Finding the right formulation can provide significant cost savings along with a higher-quality end product.
Phosphate plasticizers, such as Trioctyl Phosphate (TOF), Tributyl Phosphate (TBP), and Tri (butoxyethyl) Phosphate (TBEP) are other multifunctional additives. Some properties include flame retardancy and defoaming, in addition to the flexibility of a plasticizer.
With regards to multifunctional additives, manufacturers are also considering larger issues, such as sustainability and regulatory requirements. Bio-based materials are increasing in demand, partly due to these matters. Epoxidized Soybean Oil (ESO) may be an attractive additive, as it is a bio-based plasticizer that is an acid-scavenger, pigment dispersion agent, and intermediate.
ChemCeed offers numerous multifunctional additives. Our technical team can assist with formulation questions and offer multifunctional options to help lower costs and improve performance. For more information, contact us via email or at 715-726-2300.