Design of bio-based binders and mapping of the formulation space for premium architectural paints

 
In the wake of the European Green Deal, the paint industry is pursuing various routes to deliver more sustainable coatings: key practices involve reducing carbon emissions, leveraging materials with longer usable lifetimes, and sourcing from renewable feedstocks, namely bio-based. Presently, bio-based coatings are challenged by a mismatch of higher cost without meeting the key performance requirements of a traditional premium paint. Herein, we demonstrate performance optimization through a synergetic approach to the experimental design: utilizing a regression analysis framework on both the emulsion chemistry and the paint formulation space parameters. Results show significant impact of binder design and composition, TiO2 grades, rheology modifiers, dispersants, and their interactions on the formulation robustness and film resistance properties. Overall, these learnings provide paint manufacturers with expanded formulating capabilities when using low-VOC, pure acrylic bio-based emulsions, which deliver premium performance attributes.