Dispersant toolbox for label-free universal colorants

 
Colorants that can tint both waterborne and solvent borne paints, so-called universal colorants, have become market standards. One key factor in universal colorants is the dispersant package, which needs to stabilize the pigment in an aqueous medium and at the same time has to be compatible with aromatics-free alkyd paints. The ability to cover such a broad spectrum of polarities poses a difficult challenge when developing dispersants. The reduction of the chemical toolbox that can be worked with, because of increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, makes this challenge even more pronounced. In this paper, we address the development of a new set of eco-label compliant dispersants, focusing on their chemistry, performance and regulatory profile. The dispersant toolbox can be used to formulate a full range of label-free universal colorants.