Sustainable manufacturing of waterborne polymers for high performance Decorative paints

This project, orchestrated by ICI Paints, part of the AkzoNobel Group of Companies, involves the development of several novel approaches to reducing, and preferably eliminating, solvents in paints. The project involves a partnership between ICI Paints, an SME (High Force Research) and academic institutions (Durham and Manchester), working together to develop new solutions and products, and commercialise the results. The objectives of the project are: a) to identify, from five selected technologies, the preferred polymer functionalities to impart the polymer hydrophilicity for successful aqueous manufacture and to faciliate the challenging hydrophilic to hydrophobic polymer transition needed as the paint drys to deliver robust paints to the customer, b) to demonstrate the sustainable manufacturing of the chosen aqueous polymer in UK manufacturing facilities; and c) to deliver and launch high performance Decorative paints based on the manufactured aqueous polymers.