Advancing coatings based on polyurethane dispersion technology with Ymer™

The benefits of waterborne polyurethane dispersions 

Waterborne PUDs offer several benefits, making them an attractive choice for more sustainable and high-performance coatings. The main advantages include:

• Low environmental impact: PUDs are dispersed in water, reducing, or eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and minimizing harmful emissions. 
• Versatile performance properties: PUDs provide the flexibility to tailor coatings to specific needs, ranging from hard, durable surfaces to soft, flexible finishes. 
• Customization: The ability to fine-tune properties such as durability, hardness, and flexibility allows manufacturers to meet precise performance criteria. 
• Stable excellent properties: PUDs offer stable performance properties ensuring reliability and high-end technology compatible with various substrates. 

Key applications and market trends for PUDs 

The applications of waterborne polyurethane dispersions are extensive and continually evolving to meet industry demands for sustainability and performance. The market for PUDs is driven by tougher technical demands and environmental regulations. Sectors such as automotive, construction, textiles, and packaging are major consumers of PUDs due to their versatile properties and environmental benefits.

In the automotive industry, the use of PUDs is expanding for both interior and exterior coatings, providing durable and flexible solutions that comply with stringent regulations on emissions and environmental impact. The industry's push for lightweight materials and sustainable manufacturing processes further drives the adoption of PUDs. 

The construction sector is another significant market, employing PUDs in paints, adhesives, and sealants for building initiatives. The rise of sustainable urban development projects underscores the demand for PUDs as they offer low-VOC, high-performance alternatives to traditional solvent-based products.  

Textiles and leather applications, driven by the fashion industry's shift towards sustainable practices, also see growing use of PUDs. They provide benefits such as wash resistance, flexibility, and a soft feel, making them ideal for textile coatings and leather treatments. These dispersions are utilized for waterproofing, flame retardancy, and stain resistance, aligning with consumer preferences for non-toxic and more environmentally friendly products.

PUDs are also gaining traction in packaging. The need for durable, flexible, and safe materials in food and consumer goods packaging drives the adoption, and their excellent adhesion and printability make them suitable for a wide range of packaging applications.

How Ymer™ enhances PUD performance

Ymer™ is Perstorp's range of nonionic dispersing monomers specifically designed for waterborne PUDs. Available in three grades - Ymer™ N90, N120, and N180 - these monomers provide different levels of hydrophilicity to adjust the final properties of the coatings. 

Ymer™ N90 

Ymer™ N90 is designed to impact softness and flexibility to the final product. Its long ethoxylation chain enhances steric stabilization, resulting in high shear-thinning viscosity, excellent pH, and electrolyte stability. It offers excellent ethanol resistance, making it ideal for applications requiring flexibility and resistance to solvents.

Ymer™ N120

As the middle ground among the Ymer™ grades, Ymer™ N120 provides a balance of properties. It offers medium viscosity, good shear stability, and satisfactory freeze/thaw stability. This grade is suitable for a wide range of applications, delivering a soft finish while maintaining good mechanical properties. 

Ymer™ N180

Ymer™ N180 is tailored for applications requiring hardness and durability. Its short ethoxylation chain results in low, Newtonian viscosity and best freeze/thaw stability among the grades. This monomer provides high König hardness, making it ideal for robust coatings that withstand tough conditions.

Overall, the global market for waterborne polyurethane dispersions is poised for growth. As manufacturers continue to innovate and improve the performance characteristics of PUDs, their adoption is expected to rise, providing versatile solutions to meet the evolving needs of the market. Perstorp's Ymer™ series of dispersing monomers represents a significant advancement in PUD technology, offering the flexibility to customize coatings to precise specifications. Whether the need is for softness and flexibility or hardness and durability.