Glossy paints appear luminous and vibrant, which is quite appealing, however, they have various limitations. For instance, a shinier surface is highly reflective, which can be distracting and even highlight imperfections, if any. For people who prefer sober and soft colors, matte finish paints are a befitting choice. In addition, they are more durable and slip resistant. This has induced the demand for matting agents.
Matting agents are additives in paints and coatings, which can improve performance of paints and reduce their overall shine. Their addition to paints results in diffusion of light. They are also used in inks, plastics, and other materials. Silica matting agents are popular due to their mar resistance and dispersion properties.
Synthetic silica gel is used by Deuteron GmbH, Evonik Industries, and W.R. Grace & Co. for manufacturing these agents, albeit they use different formulations for their respective products.
Novel Developments
Recent studies have shown effective ways to improve matting agents. These include surface structuring and internal light scattering. Surface structuring enhances the properties of the coating during the curing process. Internal light scattering distributes light inside the coating itself. These new methods are now preferred over conventional coating methods using silica and wax.
Waterborne coatings are environment-friendly with properties of water repellency and abrasion resistance. They can adhere quickly to wooden surfaces due to high molecular weight. This will benefit manufacturers who need to follow the strict Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. Evonik Industries has launched a product line of waterborne coatings—“ACEMATT”—to cater to growing industrial demands.
Market Overview
The matting agents market is expected to reach USD 1.05 billion by 2025, according to Grand View Research, Inc. The market is anticipated to experience growth owing to the increase in application of paints and coatings, for instance, increasing industrial applications in China is an additional factor that may influence demand.
Waterborne matting agents are anticipated to lead the global market from 2014 to 2025 (forecast period). These agents facilitate the production of haze-free films that scatter light. Industrial coating applications are expected to grow significantly with the demand reaching almost 86.5 KT (kilotons) by 2025. Europe is anticipated to grow with CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period because of the huge demand for architectural and wood coatings. Some of the prominent market participants are Evonik Industries, W.R. Grace & Co., and Huber Engineered Materials.
In-depth report on matting agents market by Grand View Research:
No comments:
Post a Comment