Organophilic phyllosilicates (or more commonly "organoclays") are some of the most frequently used rheological additives. For more than 60 years, they have been favoured for applications in the coatings industry. Organoclays are often underestimated and are notable for their versatile range of properties. They are special and innovative. They are the hidden champions among rheological additives. Samples of them can be found in almost every coatings laboratory. But how can organoclays be selected correctly and used so that their range of properties is demonstrated in the best way possible? In order to understand their key characteristics, it is ...