Think Green. Think VAE. The first action paint formulators take in order to create environmentally-friendly paints is to reduce the VOC (volatile organic compound) content. It is not as easy as simply removing the solvent or coalescing agents as the formulator needs to compensate for the loss of its main film former and the source of many performance properties such as washability. Celanese Emulsion Polymers introduced vinyl acetate/ethylene emulsions for low emission paints more than a decade ago. Through hydroplastification, the water in the paint actually becomes the solvent required for the film formation process.

This is possible because the VAE polymers have a wide delta between their MFFT and the Tg. This allows good film formation without the addition of solvents and plasticisers because of the inherently low MFFT.

It also offers improved performance characteristics of the paint film, such as high wet scrub resistance, because of the higher Tg.

Further, paints based on VAE emulsions show a higher opacity or hiding power in high PVC paints in comparison to styrene acrylic emulsions.

Suggested areas of application

Click here for an easy to use chart with the suggested areas of application for each of our products.